Final answer:
The Confederate victory at Bull Run (First Manassas) was significant because it dispelled the notion of a brief war, highlighted the unpreparedness of both armies, and destroyed the Union's hope for a quick end to the conflict, leading to a committed war effort instead of immediate Union surrender.
Step-by-step explanation:
Significance of the Confederate Victory at Bull Run (First Manassas)
The victory of the Confederate forces at the Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas, on July 21, 1861, was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it shattered the illusion that the Civil War would be a short, decisive conflict. Instead of marking the beginning of the war, it demonstrated that a prolonged and arduous struggle lay ahead for both the Union and the Confederacy. Secondly, the battle exposed the unpreparedness of both armies, with inexperienced troops entering combat for the first time leading to a chaotic outcome. Thirdly, while the victory bolstered Confederate morale and may have led to increased enlistment, it did not result in the immediate surrender of the Union army. In the longer term, the defeat at Bull Run forced the North to reassess its military strategies and its underestimation of the Confederacy's resolve.
The immediate impact of the Confederate victory was the destruction of the Union's hope for a quick resolution to the war. It also compelled the Union to recognize that this would be neither a brief nor bloodless conflict. The loss at Bull Run thus became a rallying point for the Union to organize more effectively and commit to what would become an extended and devastating war.