Final answer:
In early 1619, Jamestown colonists were struggling to survive in a hostile environment without gold. The colony faced near failure due to starvation and conflict with natives, but the arrival of African indentured servants and the rise of the tobacco economy would eventually aid in stabilization and growth of the colony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colonists at Jamestown in the early months of 1619 faced immense challenges. They had arrived with the intention of finding gold, establishing trade, and creating a profitable colony for the Virginia Company. However, they encountered a harsh environment with little mineral wealth, leading to suffering from bad weather, starvation, disease, and conflicts with the Powhatan tribe. The high mortality rate during the winter of 1609-1610, known as "the starving time," nearly led to the colony's failure. Despite these ordeals, a significant event occurred in 1619 when a Dutch ship brought the first African individuals to Jamestown, who initially became indentured servants rather than slaves.
The tobacco economy eventually emerged as a saving grace for the struggling colony. Despite the colony's poor start, the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe turned the tide, as tobacco became a lucrative cash crop, necessitating a large labor force and laying the groundwork for the future plantation system and the transition from indentured servitude to slavery.