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 16 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.
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Rhode Island, 1636
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
Maryland, 1634
A.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
B.Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts
C.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
D.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Connecticut, 1636
Carolina, 1663
Plymouth, 1620
New York, 1664
A.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
B.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
C.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
D.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 16 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 16. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — C (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit) 2. Rhode Island, 1636 — B (Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts) 3. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — D (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 4. Maryland, 1634 — A (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics)
2.1. Connecticut, 1636 — B (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 2. Carolina, 1663 — D (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 3. Plymouth, 1620 — C (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way) 4. New York, 1664 — A (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.