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 14 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.
Pennsylvania, 1681
Rhode Island, 1636
Carolina, 1663
New York, 1664
A.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
B.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
C.William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths
D.Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Delaware, 1638
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
Connecticut, 1636
Maryland, 1634
A.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
B.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
C.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
D.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 14 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 14. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Pennsylvania, 1681 — C (William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths) 2. Rhode Island, 1636 — D (Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts) 3. Carolina, 1663 — B (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 4. New York, 1664 — A (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it)
2.1. Delaware, 1638 — B (Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there) 2. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — A (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 3. Connecticut, 1636 — C (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 4. Maryland, 1634 — D (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.