Maryland ~ 13 Colonies
Come over to Maryland, It would be a big win!
Founding of Maryland
George Calvert persuaded King Charles I to grant land for a colony in America. Calvert was once a Protestant, but ruined his career when deciding to change to be a Roman Catholic. His plan was to make his land a place where people can go and practice their religion freely. Even if you had to be following Jesus, it was still a big step in religious worship and freedom.
George received the land grant from the king, but soon grew sick during the plans of building the colony and passed away. His son, Cecelius Calvert A.K.A "Lord Baltimore" took over and executed his fathers plan. He continued to follow his father's motive for the land but he also hoped to turn a profit from the venture, just like a neighboring colony named Virginia did too.
Maryland, named after Queen Herietta Maria who was also Catholic, was settled in 1634 Although receiving permission 2 years earlier. All of this affects who moves to the colony, because they must know that they can practice their religion freely and live in peace. It also affects them because they must know they will be working hard also. The expectations were to be successful like Virginia.
Geography & Economy: Why You Should Pick Maryland!
- Surrounded by Virginia
- Upper end of Chesapeake Bay
- Off of the Atlantic seaboard
- South of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
- Good Port
- Rich Farmlands
How Economy Comes Into Play
With the Chesapeake Bay, economic opportunity was thriving. There were fish, oysters, and crabs. Maryland planned to model their colony after Virginia's plan. Maryland was to grow tobacco and sell for profit. Lord Baltimore also gave colonists an elected assembly and land. The land could help with plantation profits and it did! In fact it was so successful, that colonists in Maryland were rumored so rich they built their own mansions!
This all affects the colony because with the rich farmlands and the knowledge of growing tobacco, this colony will be fast running and extremely productive, extremely fast. Work will also decrease in the future because the system from the beginning will soon become repetitive, and workers were begging to move to Maryland to have a better lifestyle. More importantly, with the optimistic feel in the colony of the profit from the venture and freedom of worship, relations with Natives weren't bad.
Government and Religion: Rules of the Land & Religious Worship
Religion:
In 1649, the colonial assembly approved a draft of the Religious Toleration Law (Act of Toleration.) The law granted religious freedom to all Christians. Soon after, a group of Puritans fled Virginia to Maryland. (HINT HINT.) Anyone seeking religious persecution or wanted to live with their religion freely, could come over to Maryland. In the fine print though, you needed to support Jesus Christ. Lord Baltimore also allowed Protestants to come over in order for the population to grow.
Act of Toleration
Primary Source Quote:
"For as much as in a well governed and Christian common wealth matters concerning religion and the honor of God ought in the first place to bee taken, into serious consideracion and endeavoured to be settled...." (Maryland)
This basically states that religion is priority. Religion will be took care of first, no matter what. Everyone that honors God will be settled. That is the only right thing to do. The government will also be very fair to its people. This excerpt also shows the importance of the reason this colony has been settled. Everyone that lives or plans to live here has to honor God. This also shows that Lord Baltimore is following his father's plan and is going above and beyond expectations. As one of the first colonies to publish a law, it shows Maryland is taking a strong step towards religious freedom.
Who's Maryland's Target Market?
~ You can work hard for the first few months, maybe even years in building the colony
~ You have a strong opinion for the government's administration
~ You are a head of your family, so you can experiment this colony and get off to the right start to prepare your family
~ You know how to properly take care of land, because you will be given 100 acres from Lord Baltimore
~ You are willing to do the dirty work and get your feet wet. Literally!
"If its fish, tobacco, or worshiping God, Maryland would be the right nod!"
Who wouldn't want great economic opportunity?
Who wouldn't want to practice religion freely?