The primary reason for the establishment of the Jamestown colony in 1607 was economic gain. The Virginia Company, a joint-stock company, sought to profit from the resources of the New World, including gold, silver, and trade opportunities. The settlement aimed to generate wealth for its investors and establish a foothold in North America, which could be expanded upon. However, the colony struggled initially due to conflicts with Indigenous peoples, disease, and food shortages. Eventually, the cultivation of tobacco became the cornerstone of the colony’s economy, leading to its survival and growth and shaping the economic landscape of early America.