Final answer:
Maryland was established as a safe haven for persecuted Catholics, with its first governor founding the colony in 1634. Religious toleration and a tobacco-based economy were key aspects of Maryland, but tensions existed between the Catholic minority and Protestant majority. Slavery was eventually introduced to meet the labor demands of the tobacco industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maryland was a proprietary colony established by Lord Baltimore as a safe haven for Catholics who faced discrimination in England during the Protestant Reformation. The colony's first governor, Leonard Calvert, founded it in 1634. While the Calvert family aimed to encourage Protestants and Catholics to settle in Maryland, there was tension between the Catholic minority in power and the Protestant majority. The colony practiced religious toleration and had one of the most tolerant policies towards religion among the colonies. However, the need for a permanent labor force led to the establishment of slavery in 1664 to support the tobacco industry.