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The Geneva Conference of 1954 marks the end of the First Indochina War. It calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Cambodia and acknowledges Sihanouk's government as the sole legitimate authority in Cambodia. This decision prevents the Viet Minh from gaining any regional power in Cambodia, as they did in Laos.
Read more about Cambodia's troubled
history.
Pakistan begins to receive arms from the United States. This worsens hostilities between India and Pakistan.
The Geneva Conference of 1954 provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Laos, and the establishment of Pathet Lao in two northern provinces. In the meantime, talks are underway to include Pathet Lao in the formation of a coalition government.
An international conference in Geneva negotiates a cease-fire between the French and the Viet Minh. Vietnam is temporarily divided along the 17th parallel. French forces move to South Vietnam. The Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, controls North Vietnam. When the French leave, South Vietnam comes under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem.
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Ho Chi Minh.
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Ngo Dinh Diem.
The Viet Minh attack the French fortress at Dien Bien Phu and succeed in defeating the French. The fall of Dien Bien Phu shocks France and brings an end to French Indochina.
The U.S. ICBM project receives top priority.
The Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO), an alliance of nations to provide defense and economic cooperation in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific area, is formed. The alliance intends to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The founding members of SEATO are Australia, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States.
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