At a time when trade and transport were made primarily by water, and bearing in mind that European powers needed to have free access to the rich colonies, and only by sea could they communicate with America and the colonies, the ocean and the seas were the higways of the past. Therefore, access and control of the sea routes, was the only way to have control over the colonies, their riches; and become the dominant power in the world. In addition, the wars between France and Great Britain were not only for trade or wealth, but for power itself, to decide who would dominate the seas.
Bill of rights have ammendments, declaration does not
I think it was in 1964, that was when direct army confrontation happened. This was followed by several more conflicts that made use of heavy fighting naval and aircraft with the Gulf of Tonkin resolution that made military measures necessary. There were an estimated 40, 000 deaths and 20, 000 other casualties.