1. BY JONATHAN LAW, JULIAN MAN AND MICHAEL SPENDER
The Geneva Conference, 1954
BY JONATHAN LAW, JULIAN MAN AND MICHAEL SPENDER

2. The Issues
The conference was to address the issue of the wars in Korea and Indochina
The conference started dealing with Indochina prior to the downfall of Dien Bien Phu
There was evident conflict within the conference, often the parties would avoid communication with eachother
The US Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, refused to shake hands with Chinese representatives and prematurely left the conference

3. The Proposals
United States didn’t want to have to make an agreement with Communists
Britain signed treaty giving independence to Indochina nations.
French demanded ceasefire by 20 July, with Mendes-France threatening resigning
Chinese and Russian didn’t want Viet Minh to claim entire country
French wanted to move border from 13th parallel to 17th parallel

4. The Ceasefire Signed early on the 21st July 1954
Vietnam was divided by the 17th parallel into North (Viet Minh) and South (State of Vietnam)
All French units would leave the Vietnam
Civilians would be able to cross the border within 200 days

5. The Temporary Agreement
The division was finalised to be temporary
An election was to be held in July 1956 to form a single, central government
Both US and South Vietnam opposed the decision

6. End of an Era
Because of the decisions made, there will inevitably be conflict
US military supports Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Increased guerilla activity in South led to the second Indochina war, known as the Vietnam War