In April and July 1954, the French and the Viet Minh representatives
signed the Geneva Accords. It called for the separation of Vietnam at the
latitude 17oN (also known as the 17th parallel). North
Vietnam was occupied by communists, headed by Ho Chi Minh, while South Vietnam
was occupied by the nationalists, headed by Ngo Dinh Diem. An international
coalition was brought together to execute the agreement. Neither Bao Dai, the
Vietnamese emperor at the time, nor the United States recognized the agreement.
[C]
Vietnamese were given one year to move from one side to the
other. Ho Chi Minh had promised a Final Declaration (general election) to help
re-unify the country. The elections were never held, however, due to the fear
of the victory of communists. Presidents in the U.S. were afraid that if
communists won the election, a “domino effect” or a contagious disease would
occur and all surrounding areas would also turn communist. [E]
