What was the primary cash crop that made Jamestown economically viable?

• A. Rice
• B. Indigo
• C. Tobacco
• D. Wheat

Answer: (C)

The primary cash crop that made Jamestown economically viable was tobacco. When the settlers at Jamestown first arrived in 1607, they struggled with food shortages and harsh conditions. It was not until John Rolfe introduced tobacco cultivation in 1612 that the colony began to prosper economically. Tobacco became highly sought after in Europe, leading to increased exports and making it the cornerstone of Virginia's economy. The success of tobacco cultivation also encouraged further settlement and investment in the colony, promoting the establishment of plantations and the use of enslaved labor for its production. This shift significantly changed the economic landscape of the southern colonies and laid the foundation for their economies for years to come.