Geneva Accords, 1954

What were the Geneva Accords?

The Geneva Conference was a meeting between 9 countries which focused on resolving the war between France and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The agreements that were reached became known as the Geneva Accords.

When was the Geneva Conference?

The Geneva Conference took place from 26th April to 21st July, 1954.

Who attended the Geneva Conference?

Representatives of 9 countries attended the Geneva Conference:

• ❖ Cambodia.
• ❖ Laos.
• ❖ China.
• ❖ France.
• ❖ Britain.
• ❖ USSR.
• ❖ USA.
• ❖ Vietminh (North Vietnam).
• ❖ The State of Vietnam (South Vietnam).

Where was the Geneva Conference held?

The conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Why was the Geneva Conference held?

The Geneva Conference was held to bring a peaceful end to the conflict in Indochina.

What was agreed by the Geneva Accords?

The Geneva Accords resulted in numerous important agreements regarding Vietnam:

• ❖ Vietnam was split into two on a temporary basis, with a demilitarised zone in the middle. The country was divided at the 17th parallel, which was approximately halfway down.
• ❖ The south would be run by Emperor Bao Dai, who had spent a lot of time in the USA and strongly opposed communism.
• ❖ The north would be controlled by Ho Chi Minh, a communist.
• ❖ France had to withdraw from Vietnam.
• ❖ The Vietminh had to withdraw from the south.
• ❖ The Vietnamese could choose if they wanted to live in the north or the south.
• ❖ Elections were to be held in 1956 to decide who ruled the whole of Vietnam. However, no clear electoral system was agreed.
• ❖ No foreign forces would be allowed to set up military bases in Vietnam.
• ❖ There were 300 days of free movement. One million people moved south; 130,000 moved north; and 5,000 to 10,000 supporters of North Vietnam stayed in the south.
• ❖ Laos and Cambodia were created.

What was the USA's response to the Geneva Accords?

President Eisenhower was worried about the spread of communism in the region and was committed to containing it. The USA refused to sign the accords, but became more involved in the future of Vietnam. In January 1955, America sent a shipment of military aid to Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, and offered to train the new army.

What was the response of South Vietnam to the Geneva Accords?

South Vietnam refused to sign the accords. Diem, the prime minister, did not want to accept the division of the country as he wanted a united Vietnam.

What was the response of North Vietnam to the Geneva Accords?

China forced North Vietnam to agree to the demands, even though it would have a smaller area of control than in 1945. Ho Chi Minh wanted a united country, but he believed the division would only be temporary as the people of Vietnam would vote for a communist government in the elections that were due to be held before July 1956.