Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What were writs of assistance?

1. Legal documents allowing colonial assemblies to convene

2. Search warrants for British authorities to search homes for smuggled goods

3. Declarations of independence from British rule

4. Reports on colonial economic conditions

The correct answer is: Search warrants for British authorities to search homes for smuggled goods

Writs of assistance were general search warrants that enabled British authorities to enter homes and businesses to search for smuggled goods without specifying a particular place or item to be searched. This form of legal document was seen as an infringement on the privacy and property rights of the colonists, as it granted broad authority to customs officials to conduct searches in an arbitrary manner. The widespread use of writs of assistance contributed to growing resentment toward British rule and was a significant factor leading up to the American Revolution. The other options do not accurately describe the function of writs of assistance. Legal documents allowing colonial assemblies to convene are related to colonial governance, while declarations of independence are formal statements that denote the colonies’ intent to separate from British authority. Reports on colonial economic conditions focus on economic assessments rather than legal permissions for searches, which underscores the unique and intrusive nature of writs of assistance in colonial life.