Write an account of how the Geneva Agreement, 1954 led to further conflict in Vietnam. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 1

The division of Vietnam created a situation where two very different political ideologies began to emerge: the communist North under Ho Chi Minh and the anti-communist South backed by the United States. This division was a direct catalyst for increased tensions as both sides viewed the other as an existential threat. The communist North sought to unify the country under its ideology, while the South was supported by the U.S. in its efforts to resist communism.

The planned national elections in 1956 were never held, largely due to the fears of the U.S. and the South Vietnamese government that a unified Vietnam would be under communist control. This refusal to engage in democratic processes exacerbated distrust and animosity between the North and South, ultimately leading to further conflict.

In response to the evolving situation, the United States increased its military and financial support for the South Vietnamese government. This included providing weapons, training, and advisors, which further escalated tensions and ultimately laid the groundwork for a larger conflict that would become the Vietnam War.