Question

Why were the earliest colonial cities either port cities or cantonment

Answer 1

The earliest colonial cities:

The earliest colonial cities either port cities or cantonment​ because the Colonial cities arose in the societies which were under the rule of British or North America in the earliest phase of the capitalist system.

They were usually port cities because the colonial nations wanted to transport the goods and raw materials back to their country. The best mode of transportation of all the materials was through sea route which was easy, cheaper and efficient when compared to all other modes of transportation.

Cantonments were made in colonial cities so that they could deploy their troops and get control over the people creating fear among them.