Final answer:
Lord Baltimore founded Maryland in 1634 to create a refuge for persecuted English Catholics and to build a profitable colony, mirroring the successful cultivation of tobacco seen in Virginia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lord Baltimore, whose real name was Cecilius Calvert, founded Maryland in 1634 with the intention of providing a refuge for English Catholics, who were being persecuted for their faith in England. His charter for Maryland was granted by King Charles I and represented a significant means of expanding England's colonies. In addition, the fertile land of Maryland was well-suited for the profitable cultivation of tobacco, which was a significant cash crop at the time, and contributed to the colony's economic stability.
The goal was not just to create a safe place for Catholics, but also to create a profitable colony, following the successful, tobacco-centered model of the colony of Virginia. As a result, Maryland developed with a decidedly commercial orientation, much like the early settlers of the neighboring Virginia colony.
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