How did public perception of the First Battle of Bull Run affect future battles?

The First Battle of Bull Run, fought in July 1861, was the first major battle of the American Civil War. The outcome surprised many, as Confederate forces achieved a decisive victory. Public perception following this battle dramatically shaped expectations for future conflicts. Given the initial belief that the war would be short and relatively easy for the Union to win, the unexpected difficulty and bloodiness of Bull Run led many to believe subsequent engagements would also yield straightforward victories if proper military strategies were employed.

People’s experiences and observations during Bull Run contributed to a sense of overconfidence, making many union supporters and soldiers underestimate their opponents in future battles. This perception set the stage for the Union's subsequent approach and mentality in later battles, often leading to strategic miscalculations based on the assumption that the Confederacy would similarly falter in their military operations. Thus, the expectation of easy victories, derived from the public reaction to Bull Run, played a significant role in shaping the course of the war in its initial phases.