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 24 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
Delaware, 1638
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
A.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
B.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
C.William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths
D.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Georgia, 1733
New York, 1664
Carolina, 1663
Connecticut, 1636
A.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
B.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
C.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
D.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 24 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 24. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Pennsylvania, 1681 — C (William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths) 2. Delaware, 1638 — B (Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there) 3. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — D (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 4. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — A (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit)
2.1. Georgia, 1733 — A (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers) 2. New York, 1664 — B (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it) 3. Carolina, 1663 — C (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 4. Connecticut, 1636 — D (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.