Final answer:
George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, secured a charter for Maryland but passed away before it was finalized. His son Cecilius was granted the charter, and his grandson Leonard founded the colony. They aimed for religious toleration and a tobacco-based economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, applied to King Charles I for a royal colony in the Chesapeake region of North America. Unfortunately, George Calvert passed away in April 1632, before seeing the charter come to fruition. The charter was subsequently granted to his son Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. Cecil's brother, Leonard Calvert, arrived in Maryland and became the first governor when the colony was founded in 1634. They envisioned Maryland as a colony with religious toleration, particularly a safe haven for Catholics who suffered harassment in post-Reformation England. Key to Maryland's economy was tobacco cultivation as the cash crop. The proprietary charter gave the Calverts ownership of the land with the colonists pledging allegiance to the Barons Baltimore.
Despite their efforts to encourage both Protestant and Catholic settlers, there were tensions between the groups, leading to resentment towards the ruling Catholic minority. The Calverts maintained active involvement until 1689 when they lost their charter due to a Protestant rebellion. The family regained control as proprietors in 1715, continuing their policy of religious toleration and dealing fairly with Native Americans.