What was one of the main rivers associated with early colonial commerce in North America?

The St. Lawrence River played a crucial role in the early colonial commerce of North America primarily because it served as a key waterway for trade and transportation between the interior of the continent and the Atlantic Ocean. It facilitated access to the rich fur resources of the Great Lakes and the Canadian hinterland, which were vital for trade, particularly for the French in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The river acted as a conduit for both goods and cultural exchange, connecting French settlements with European markets.

While other rivers mentioned, such as the Mississippi, Ohio, and Potomac, were significant in their own rights, the St. Lawrence River's strategic location and its early use by colonists and indigenous peoples for trade and transport established it as one of the main arteries of commerce during the colonial period.