The event that led to the first successful European settlement in North America was the establishment of Jamestown in 1607. Sponsored by the Virginia Company, Jamestown was founded by English colonists seeking economic opportunities in the New World. The settlement struggled initially due to food shortages, conflicts with Indigenous peoples, and harsh conditions. However, the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe provided a cash crop that ensured the settlement's survival and economic viability. Jamestown's success paved the way for further English colonization in North America and significantly shaped the future of British America.