What factors allowed jamestown to survive its initial struggles

Captain John Smith  became leader of the Jamestown Colony. He saved the colony by making a rule that anyone who did not work did not eat. This made the colonists plant food, and build shelters and fences to protect themselves from attack. Captain John Smith maintained a peace with the nearby Algonquian Indians. At the time, almost 30 tribes of the Eastern Woodlands Indians  lived in Virginia. The Indian tribes formed a confederation led by Chief Powhatan. One day, Captain John Smith was captured by the Indians. A legend says that Pocahontas, the chief's daughter, saved his life.

From mexican american war , us gained new mexico.