Final answer:
The English settlers in Jamestown planned to become rich by cultivating and selling tobacco.
Step-by-step explanation:
The English settlers who founded Jamestown planned to become rich by growing tobacco. Initially, they had hoped to find gold, establish a passage west to the Pacific, or locate the Lost Colony. However, these attempts were unsuccessful. It was only when John Rolfe cultivated tobacco that the colony started to generate profits. Tobacco became the major cash crop of Jamestown, which required significant amounts of land and labor to produce. This need for labor led to the development of a plantation system and the eventual encouragement of the slave trade.
In conclusion, the English settlers in Jamestown planned to become rich by cultivating and selling tobacco. This cash crop allowed them to generate profits and establish a successful colony. The cultivation of tobacco required a vast labor force, leading to the development of a plantation system and the eventual reliance on the slave trade.