Final answer:
The major obstacles to the early growth of the Virginia Colony included conflict with Native American tribes and scarcity of food supplies. High mortality due to diseases and lack of skilled labor also impeded the colony's development until the introduction of tobacco cultivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major obstacles to the early growth of the Virginia Colony were conflict with Native American tribes and the scarcity of food supplies. The Jamestown settlers faced severe trials during the early years of the colony's existence, including a devastating period known as “the starving time” during the winter of 1609-1610. Lack of skills among the colonists compounded the problems, as many were gentlemen unaccustomed to manual labor, and not the yeomen farmers or laborers needed for the colony's survival.
Additionally, the Virginia Colony faced high mortality rates due to disease brought both by settlers and encountered in the New World, and the tension with the Powhatan tribe exacerbated the struggles for the fledgling colony. It was only with the introduction of tobacco cultivation, which required and benefited from the establishment of the headright system designed to attract more labor, did the colony begin to establish a profitable and sustainable economy.
By contrast, the harsh weather conditions and lack of fertile soil were not cited as direct reasons for the colony's early struggles, nor were political leadership and support from the British Crown prominent issues at the initial stage, as these aspects were addressed at a later time leading to eventual stabilization and success of the colony.