Read the following line from Thomas Paine's pamphlet: "We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was INTEREST not ATTACHMENT she did not protect us from OUR ENEMIES on OUR ACCOUNT, but from HER ENEMIES on HER OWN ACCOUNT, from those who had no quarrel with us on any OTHER ACCOUNT, and who will always be our enemies on the SAME ACCOUNT." England did not protect the colonies from the threats of other European powers as a kindness nor for the well-being of the colonies in general.

England was forced to defend the colonies against other European invaders because those countries were basically attacking Britain by attacking the British-owned colonies.

England protected the colonies because it was in their best interest to do so, not because they cared about the colonists and their rights.

All of the choices are correct.