What were Writs of Assistance?

Writs of Assistance were legal documents that empowered customs officials to search for smuggled goods without needing specific warrants or probable cause. This practice was designed to enforce trade regulations and combat smuggling in the colonies. The writs allowed for broad and general searches, which angered many colonists who viewed them as a violation of their rights and an overreach of British authority. This resentment contributed to the growing tensions leading up to the American Revolution, as many colonists felt that their rights to privacy were being infringed upon. The other options do not correctly represent the specific nature and purpose of Writs of Assistance; they either relate to taxation or governance rather than the enforcement of trade laws through searches.