As a result of the Vietnamese Victory in the indochina war
The Geneva Conference was held in the old League of Nation Building in Geneva from April 26 to July 21, 1954.
There were representatives from Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, France, Laos, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, the Viet Minh (North Vietnamese) and the State of Vietnam (South Vietnamese). There were 10 documents produced during the conference.
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Outcome of the conference
The outcome of the Conference agreed for there to be a ceasefire between the French and the Vietminh along the 17th parallel latitude for 300 days and for each side to withdraw their troops along the line. The Vietminh also had to remove their guerrilla troops from Cambodia and Laos.
A promise for free elections were to be held for a reunification of Vietnam in 1955.
The French could station their troops in Laos and Cambodia at their governments request if needed.
The return of refugees to their homes.
Finally, a Supervisory Commission made up of Canada, India and Poland to oversee the implementation of the agreement by 1956. This commission was important as the Vietminh controlled three quarters of Vietnam.
A promise for free elections were to be held for a reunification of Vietnam in 1955.
The French could station their troops in Laos and Cambodia at their governments request if needed.
The return of refugees to their homes.
Finally, a Supervisory Commission made up of Canada, India and Poland to oversee the implementation of the agreement by 1956. This commission was important as the Vietminh controlled three quarters of Vietnam.
Consequences of the Geneva Conference for the people of Vietnam
By the end 7 out of the nine parties agree to sign the agreement. The United States and South Vietnam declined to sign it. Therefore the agreement was left unsigned by all parties. The United States quickly assisted the anticommunist state in South Vietnam by sending military and other advisers for the Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem and refused to hold elections for the reunification of Vietnam.
Viet Minh leaders appeared certain to win these elections, and the United States and the leaders in the south would not approve or sign the Final Declaration; elections were never held.
The Geneva Accords allowed movement between the two nations until 1954.
In June 1954 the Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem was supported by the United States. Diem is a strong Catholic leader.
When the Geneva Accords allowed movement 60% of the Catholic population in North Vietnam migrated safe. This mass migration of around 200,000 Catholics gave Diem a strong political backing. The Emperor of South Vietnam, Bao Dai, disliked Diem, but allowed to continue as Prime Minister. The French also dislikes Diem.
In 1955 after the defeat of the French in Diem Dinh Phu a political vacuum occurred and Ngo Dinh Diem held a referendum for South Vietnam to become independent, which won; and then proclaimed himself President of the Republic of South Vietnam
Viet Minh leaders appeared certain to win these elections, and the United States and the leaders in the south would not approve or sign the Final Declaration; elections were never held.
The Geneva Accords allowed movement between the two nations until 1954.
In June 1954 the Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem was supported by the United States. Diem is a strong Catholic leader.
When the Geneva Accords allowed movement 60% of the Catholic population in North Vietnam migrated safe. This mass migration of around 200,000 Catholics gave Diem a strong political backing. The Emperor of South Vietnam, Bao Dai, disliked Diem, but allowed to continue as Prime Minister. The French also dislikes Diem.
In 1955 after the defeat of the French in Diem Dinh Phu a political vacuum occurred and Ngo Dinh Diem held a referendum for South Vietnam to become independent, which won; and then proclaimed himself President of the Republic of South Vietnam
Quesitons
- What were the ten documents produced in the Geneva Conference of 1954?
- Were the Geneva Peace talks doomed to fail from the start? (Refer to the Geneva Peace talks with Korea).
- How did the Geneva Conference outcome affect the Vietname people?