Final answer:
Strong leadership, particularly by John Smith and later by John Rolfe, was a key factor in the survival and progress of Jamestown, enabling the colony to overcome early struggles and establish a profitable tobacco economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A key factor in the survival and progress of the English colony at Jamestown was strong leadership. The early years of Jamestown were fraught with difficulties, including poor relations with Native American tribes and an ineptitude for self-sustenance, as the settlers focused on searching for gold instead of establishing a reliable food source. The strong leadership of John Smith was crucial in prioritizing the colony's immediate needs for survival, such as securing food, shelter, and safety, thereby improving the strained relationship with the Powhatan through more effective diplomacy rather than violence.
Additionally, the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe transformed the economic prospects of the struggling settlement. Tobacco became a profitable cash crop, leading to the establishment of the headright system to attract more settlers and the onset of the plantation system and slave trade to meet the demands for labor. Ultimately, Jamestown's ability to adapt and develop economically under capable leaders helped in securing its place as the first successful English colony in North America.