Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel as a result of the Geneva Accords in 1954, which aimed to temporarily separate the country into two zones: North Vietnam under communist rule, and South Vietnam aligned with anti-communist forces. This division was intended to facilitate the withdrawal of French colonial forces and pave the way for elections to reunify the country, which ultimately did not occur.
Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel as a result of the Geneva Accords in 1954. The division aimed to temporarily separate the country into two zones: North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The Geneva Conference was held to resolve the conflict between the communist forces of North Vietnam and the anti-communist forces of South Vietnam. It involved representatives from the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, China, and several other countries.
The division was primarily a strategy to facilitate the withdrawal of French colonial forces from Vietnam, who had been fighting against the communist Viet Minh. The agreement was that French forces would withdraw from the country, and Vietnam would be temporarily separated at the 17th parallel until elections could be held to reunify the country. However, these elections never took place, and the division became more permanent.
One interesting fact about the Vietnam War and the division at the 17th parallel is that it marked the first direct military involvement of the United States in Southeast Asia. The United States initially provided military and economic assistance to South Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism. Over time, their involvement escalated, leading to a full-scale war that lasted until 1975.
Another interesting fact is that the division at the 17th parallel had a lasting impact on the Vietnamese people. Families were separated, and there was a significant movement of people between the two zones. Many people risked their lives to cross the border in search of a better life or to reunite with their loved ones.
In relation to the question, a quote from Ho Chi Minh, the leader of the communist forces in North Vietnam, provides insight into the motivations behind the division at the 17th parallel. He stated, “We must bring about the unity of the entire Vietnamese people, of all political and religious tendencies, to oppose the French imperialism with an unyielding determination and to obtain national independence.”
Table: Major Events Related to the Division of Vietnam at the 17th Parallel
| Year | Event |
|——|——-|
| 1954 | Geneva Conference leads to the temporary division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel |
| 1956 | The deadline for the proposed elections to reunify Vietnam |
| 1959 | The beginning of the Vietnam War as armed conflict intensifies |
| 1973 | The Paris Peace Accords are signed, leading to the United States’ withdrawal from Vietnam |
| 1975 | The fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule |
By examining the division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel, we gain insight into the complex historical dynamics that shaped the country and ultimately led to a decades-long conflict.
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Vietnam became split into North and South by 1954 due to a series of historical events. Vietnam was a French colony under French Indochina until World War II when the French had to leave. Japan took the opportunity to invade North Vietnam, resulting in resistance from the Vietnamese people. The Viet Minh rebel group fought against both the French and Japanese occupiers, establishing their own independent republic of Vietnam after the war. However, the French returned and pushed the Viet Minh into the north, leading to five years of conflict between the north and south of Vietnam. China supported the north, while the USA supported the French. Eventually, the French surrendered, and the Geneva agreement in 1954 divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel, with the north becoming communist and the south capitalist. This division marked the beginning of the conflict rather than its end.
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Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel as part of the Geneva Agreements signed in July 1954. The French agreed to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam, and the country would be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, pending elections within two years to choose a president and reunite the country. The accords established the 17th parallel as a temporary demarcation line separating the military forces of the French and the Viet Minh. North of the line was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, or North Vietnam, which had waged a successful eight-year struggle against the French.
In July 1954, the Geneva Agreements were signed. As part of the agreement, the French agreed to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam. Vietnam would be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, pending elections within two years to choose a president and reunite the country.
The accords established the 17th parallel (latitude 17° N) as a temporary demarcation line separating the military forces of the French and the Viet Minh. North of the line was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, or North Vietnam, which had waged a successful eight-year struggle against the French.
I see 2 questions in the subject. Why was VN divided and why was the division at 17th parallel
Why was VN divided
VN is a small country. Before being divided, it was colonized by FR. And VNese had never stopped to fight for freedom. But as a small country, VN needed the support from outside.
VN wanted to fight until the whole country was free but the supporters, seeing their support as a non-big-benefit investigation, and seeing a FR promise of a full freedom in peace in a near future – 2 years, did not want to give more mil support to get this freedom by force. Without this aid, VN had to accept to “temporary create two military separated zones to avoid the mil conflict” – Geneva accord 1954.
The US, by its force, took control one of these zones – indirectly by its collaborator, a Mr Ngo Dinh Diem that US just picked from its pocket in a New York church of Maryknoll Seminary.
Then VN was divided.
Why was the division at 17th parallel
Because of the resource balancing.
Both sid…
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The dividing line between North Vietnam and South Vietnam as established by the 1954 Geneva Conference. The 17th parallel was buffered by a demilitarized zone, or DMZ, between the two countries.
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