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 13 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.
Plymouth, 1620
Delaware, 1638
Georgia, 1733
New York, 1664
A.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
B.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
C.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
D.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Carolina, 1663
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Connecticut, 1636
Pennsylvania, 1681
A.William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths
B.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
C.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
D.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 13 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 13. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Plymouth, 1620 — C (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way) 2. Delaware, 1638 — A (Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there) 3. Georgia, 1733 — D (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers) 4. New York, 1664 — B (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it)
2.1. Carolina, 1663 — B (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 2. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — D (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit) 3. Connecticut, 1636 — C (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 4. Pennsylvania, 1681 — A (William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.