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 4 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.
Connecticut, 1636
Maryland, 1634
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Pennsylvania, 1681
A.William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths
B.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
C.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
D.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Delaware, 1638
New York, 1664
Plymouth, 1620
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
A.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
B.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
C.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
D.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Connecticut, 1636 — D (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 2. Maryland, 1634 — C (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics) 3. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — B (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)
2.1. Delaware, 1638 — A (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. Plymouth, 1620 — B (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way) 4. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — C (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.