Why the Colonies Were Founded is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on when, where and why the thirteen colonies were founded, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.His.14.3-5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 11 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.
Why the Colonies Were Founded
D2.His.14.3-5
NameDate
Draw a line from each colony to the reason it was founded.
1.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Delaware, 1638
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Maryland, 1634
New York, 1664
A.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
B.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
C.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
D.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Rhode Island, 1636
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
Georgia, 1733
Plymouth, 1620
A.Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts
B.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
C.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
D.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 11 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 11. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Delaware, 1638 — A (Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there) 2. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — B (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit) 3. Maryland, 1634 — C (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics) 4. New York, 1664 — D (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it)
2.1. Rhode Island, 1636 — A (Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts) 2. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — C (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 3. Georgia, 1733 — B (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers) 4. Plymouth, 1620 — D (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.