John Rolfe was an English settler who arrived in the Jamestown colony in 1610. He is best known for his role in introducing tobacco as a cash crop to the colony, which helped to ensure its economic success. Specifically, Rolfe contributed to the Jamestown colony's success in the following ways:
1. Development of a new variety of tobacco: Rolfe developed a new variety of tobacco that was better suited to the climate and soil of Virginia than the existing varieties. This new tobacco was much more profitable than the existing crops that the colonists were growing, such as corn and wheat.
2. Establishment of trade with England: Rolfe's tobacco became very popular in England, which helped to establish a profitable trade relationship between the colony and England. This helped to ensure the colony's economic success and survival.
Overall, John Rolfe's introduction of a new variety of tobacco and the establishment of trade with England were key factors in the Jamestown colony's economic success.