Which of the following cities was a major southern seaport?

Charleston was a major southern seaport due to its strategic location and deep-water harbor, which made it ideal for shipping and trade during the colonial period and into the 19th century. The city played a significant role in the Atlantic slave trade and was a bustling center for the export of goods, particularly rice, indigo, and cotton. Its port facilitated commerce and helped establish Charleston as an economic hub in the South.

Richmond, while an important city and the capital of the Confederacy, was not a seaport like Charleston. Nashville, primarily known as a cultural center, particularly in music, is also not located on the coast and does not have a significant seaport history. Atlanta, although a major transportation hub today, was developed later and is inland, lacking direct access to the sea, which further sets it apart from Charleston's pivotal role as a seaport.