Final answer:
The consequence of the first shots of the Civil War was the realization that the war would not be easily won and would bring great suffering and sacrifice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consequence of the first shots of the Civil War was that it made both the Union and Confederate sides realize that the war would not be over quickly. The shots fired at Fort Sumter began the war, but the first real battle was First Manassas. At First Manassas, both sides experienced the harsh reality of war and understood that it would be a long and difficult conflict.
The North had greater resources in terms of men and supplies than the South. If the South had any real chance of winning, it would have been to end the war quickly. However, the war dragged on for four years, and great suffering was experienced by both the civilians and soldiers of the Confederacy as Union forces moved into Confederate territory. Ultimately, the consequence of the first shots of the Civil War was the realization that the war would not be easily won and that it would bring great suffering and sacrifice.