The Geneva Accords divide Vietnam in half at the 17th
parallel, with Ho Chi Minh's Communists ceded the North, while Bao Dai's
regime is granted the South. The accords also provide fornational elections
to be held in all of Vietnam within two years to reunify the country.
The U.S. opposes the unifying elections, fearing a likely victory by Ho
Chi Minh. The communists likewise opposed the free election.
Dien Bien Phu falls. At 5:30 p.m.,
10,000 French soldiers surrender at Dien Bien Phu. By now, an estimated
8000 Viet Minh and 1500 French have died.
late-July 1954
French survivors are marched for up to 60
days to prison camps 500 hundred miles away. Nearly half die during the
march or in captivity.
The Geneva Conference on Indochina begins, attended by
the U.S., Britain, China, the Soviet Union, France, Vietnam (Viet Minh
and representatives of Bao Dai), Cambodia and Laos, all meeting to negotiate
a solution for Southeast Asia.
Troop Use Unsuitable Now: Dulles
Two Yanks Dead in Indochina Supply Run As
C-119 Explodes
Silent Radio Signals End' French Refuse to
Surrender
Ike Raises 'Symbolic' Resistance
Senate Blocks Taft-Hartley Act Revision
Anti-Communist Plan Developed
Hull Gets Close Look at Malaya's Red Battle
France begins complete withdrawal from Vietnam, ending
a bitter eight year struggle against the Viet Minh in which 400,000 soldiers
and civilians from all sides had perished.
Viet Minh continue assaults on French positions,
with four Red Divisions Nearing Hanoi by 1 June 1954.
U.S. May Train Vietnamese
Ike Hits Red Hunts 'For Glory'
Vukovich Wins 2nd Straight '500'
Thousands' Said Needed As Cadre
President Leads Rites
Anderson, Taylor Exit
4 Red Divisions Nearing Hanoi
Turkish Minister Arrives in U.S.
Queen Flies to London to Resume Royal Duties
18 Die in Plane Crash on Brazil Mountain
Ngo Dinh Diem newly chosen Premier of South Vietnam, completes
the organization of his cabinet.
At Geneva Conference, French and Ho Chi Minh's
Communists sign Indochina Truce Accords which, among other measures, partition
Vietnam into North Vietnam and South Vietnam at the 17th Parallel. The
accords call for national elections to be held throughout Vietnam within
two years to reunify the country. An International
Control Commission is set up to supervise compliance with the Agreements.
The first of waves of North Vietnamese move to South Vietnam
under the Geneva Accord. By May 1955, about one million refugees had fled
south as opposed to some 90,000 Communists in the south going north. At
the same time, nearly 10,000 Viet Minh fighters are instructed by Hanoi
to quietly remain behind.
An agreement is signed at Manila establishing a South
East Asia Treaty Organization(SEATO), aimed at checking Communist expansion.
The last French troops leave Hanoi.
Following the French departure from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
returns after spending eight years hiding in the jungle. The Viet Minh
formally assume control over North Vietnam.
The Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was declared.
Bao Dai installs Ngo Dinh Diem as President. The Republic of Vietnam is
recognized by more than 100 countries.
The national reunification election agreed to at Geneva
was never held. Neither party favored a free election.