Jamestown was built on malarial river banks. Most colonists had no immunity to the new diseases and therefore perished. Many Native American tribes were hostile to the settlers. The main problem was the "starving time" during the winter of 1609-1610 when food supplies were so low that the settlers resorted to eating dogs, rats, cats, shoes, and even dead settlers. John Smith was the one to implement a policy stating that those who did not work did not eat.
