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 22 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.
Maryland, 1634
Plymouth, 1620
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
Carolina, 1663
A.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
B.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
C.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
D.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Connecticut, 1636
Georgia, 1733
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Pennsylvania, 1681
A.William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths
B.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
C.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
D.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Maryland, 1634 — D (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics) 2. Plymouth, 1620 — A (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way) 3. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — B (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 4. Carolina, 1663 — C (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit)
2.1. Connecticut, 1636 — B (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 2. Georgia, 1733 — C (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers) 3. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — D (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit) 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.