Question

Which of the following similarities best explains why cities such as Venice, Amsterdam, Hamburg, London, and Marseilles were early front-runners in urban development in Western Europe?

A. These cities were early hearths of domestication, functioning as centers of agricultural production.
B. These port cities were centers of trade, serving as links in terms of capital and labor mobility.
C. These cities were early adopters of sustainable design principles, providing an example for other cities.
D. These industrial cities were centers of manufacturing, supplying Western Europe with new technology.
E. These cities were hubs of population growth, rapidly expanding to become the first megacities.

Answer 1

b. The port cities of Venice, Amsterdam, Hamburg, London, and Marseilles were early front-runners in urban development in Western Europe because they served as centers of trade and capital and labor mobility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best explanation for why cities such as Venice, Amsterdam, Hamburg, London, and Marseilles were early front-runners in urban development in Western Europe is option B: These port cities were centers of trade, serving as links in terms of capital and labor mobility.

These cities were strategically located on major waterways, which allowed for easy access to trade routes. Trade brought wealth and economic opportunities, attracting people from different areas and contributing to population growth. Cities became centers of commerce and trade, fostering urban development.