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 23 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.
Delaware, 1638
New York, 1664
Rhode Island, 1636
Plymouth, 1620
A.Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts
B.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
C.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
D.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Connecticut, 1636
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
Carolina, 1663
Georgia, 1733
A.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
B.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
C.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
D.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 23 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 23. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Delaware, 1638 — B (Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there) 2. New York, 1664 — D (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it) 3. Rhode Island, 1636 — A (Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts) 4. Plymouth, 1620 — C (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way)
2.1. Connecticut, 1636 — B (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 2. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — C (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 3. Carolina, 1663 — D (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 4. Georgia, 1733 — A (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.