What did the Writs of Assistance do? Lowered taxes Discouraged resettlement Prevented smuggling Taxed paper goods

The Writs of Assistance were legal documents that were issued by the British government in the American colonies during the 18th century, particularly in the mid-1760s. These writs were general search warrants that allowed customs officials to search any location suspected of containing smuggled goods without specifying the place or providing evidence of wrongdoing.

The main purpose of the Writs of Assistance was to combat smuggling and enforce trade regulations. Customs officials could use these writs to enter and search homes, warehouses, and other premises to find and seize smuggled goods. The writs were not limited in scope, and their broad authority raised concerns among colonists about violations of their privacy and property rights.

The issuance of the Writs of Assistance played a role in the growing tensions between the American colonies and the British government, contributing to the broader discontent that eventually led to the American Revolution. Therefore, the Writs of Assistance did not lower taxes, discourage resettlement, or tax paper goods; instead, they were a tool used to enforce trade regulations and combat smuggling, which became a source of tension and resistance among the colonists.