Question

what was the primary reason maryland was founded?
to settle a large dept between the king of england and lord baltimore
to reward englands catholic gentry for supporting charles i
to establish a line of defense against encroaching french colonists
to provide a settlement where english protestants could relocate

Explanation:

Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore (George Calvert) to create a haven for English Catholics, especially to reward England's Catholic gentry who supported Charles I. The first option's "dept" (likely a typo for "debt") is incorrect as the grant was a reward, not debt settlement. The third option is wrong as French colonists weren't the threat here (more French in Canada, and Maryland's defense wasn't the main founding reason). The fourth option is incorrect because Maryland was for Catholics, not Protestants (Protestants had other colonies like Virginia). So the correct reason is to reward England's Catholic gentry for supporting Charles I.

Answer:

B. to reward England's Catholic gentry for supporting Charles I