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 6 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.
Massachusetts Bay, 1630
New York, 1664
Connecticut, 1636
Georgia, 1733
A.Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community
B.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
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
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Plymouth, 1620
Pennsylvania, 1681
Carolina, 1663
Maryland, 1634
A.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
B.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
C.William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths
D.Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 6 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 6. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Massachusetts Bay, 1630 — A (Puritans led by John Winthrop hoped to build a model religious community) 2. New York, 1664 — C (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it) 3. Connecticut, 1636 — B (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 4. Georgia, 1733 — D (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers)
2.1. Plymouth, 1620 — D (Pilgrims who had left the Church of England wanted to worship in their own way) 2. Pennsylvania, 1681 — C (William Penn's Quaker colony welcomed people of many faiths) 3. Carolina, 1663 — B (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 4. Maryland, 1634 — A (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.