• Boston • New York • Philadelphia • Charleston The cities above were all important cities in Colonial America and in the early years of U.S. history. Trade was a major part of the economies of these cities because they were all ports that could ship goods on the Atlantic Ocean. they were connected to each other by an extensive system of roads. they were all located in the North and could easily ship goods to Canada. they were located on the Ohio River and would ship goods to the West.