The ultimate success of Jamestown can largely be attributed to growing tobacco. While other factors like clean water were important for the health of the colonists, and the search for gold influenced initial settlement efforts, it was the cultivation of tobacco that provided a sustainable economic foundation for Jamestown. Tobacco became a highly profitable cash crop that attracted more settlers, ensured trade with England, and helped stabilize the colony.
The struggles of cold winters and food shortages initially posed significant challenges to the settlers. However, the successful establishment of tobacco farming helped to mitigate these problems in the long term and contributed to the colony's growth and eventual success.