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 18 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.
Carolina, 1663
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Rhode Island, 1636
Maryland, 1634
A.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
B.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
C.Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts
D.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Connecticut, 1636
New York, 1664
Plymouth, 1620
Georgia, 1733
A.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
B.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
C.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
D.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Carolina, 1663 — D (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 2. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — A (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit) 3. Rhode Island, 1636 — C (Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts) 4. Maryland, 1634 — B (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics)
2.1. Connecticut, 1636 — A (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 2. New York, 1664 — C (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it) 3. Plymouth, 1620 — B (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way) 4. Georgia, 1733 — D (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.