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

## Step 1<br />The question asks us to identify the best explanation for why cities such as Venice, Amsterdam, Hamburg, London, and Marseilles were early front-runners in urban development in Western Europe. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />We need to evaluate each option based on historical facts and the unique characteristics of these cities.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option A suggests that these cities were early hearths of domestication, functioning as centers of agricultural production. However, these cities are known for their maritime activities, not agricultural production.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option B suggests that these port cities were centers of trade, serving as links in terms of capital and labor mobility. This aligns with the historical fact that these cities were indeed major trading hubs, facilitating the movement of goods and people.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option C suggests that these cities were early adopters of sustainable design principles, providing an example for other cities. While these cities may have had sustainable practices, this is not the primary reason they were early front-runners in urban development.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Option D suggests that these industrial cities were centers of manufacturing, supplying Western Europe with goods. While these cities did have manufacturing activities, they were not primarily known for this.