- Religious Differences: The colony was founded as a refuge for English Catholics, but it also attracted Protestants and other religious groups. This led to tensions between different religious groups, as well as conflicts over religious freedom and the role of the Catholic Church in the colony.
- Economic Disparities: The Maryland colony was a proprietary colony, meaning that it was owned by a single individual, the Lord Baltimore. This led to economic disparities between the wealthy landowners and the majority of the population, who were tenant farmers or indentured servants. The tenant farmers and indentured servants were often treated poorly and had few rights, which created resentment towards the wealthy landowners and the Lord Baltimore.
- Political Power: The Lord Baltimore had a great deal of political power, including the ability to appoint the governor and other officials. This concentration of power led to tensions between the Lord Baltimore and the colonists, who wanted more say in their own governance.
- Native American Relations: The Maryland colony also faced challenges in its relations with the Native American tribes of the region. The colonists often competed with the Native Americans for resources, such as land and hunting grounds, which led to conflicts and wars.
- External Threats: The Maryland colony also faced external threats from other European colonies, such as Virginia, as well as from pirates and other raiders. These threats required the colony to spend resources on defense and security, which further strained its resources and contributed to internal tensions.
These are just a few of the factors that caused friction in the Maryland colony, leading to various conflicts and challenges throughout its early history.