1954 in the Vietnam War was a Catholic appointed to rule a country that was predominantly Buddhist. In the words of one historian, "Diệm's attractiveness to his first American patrons derived from three qualities: he was a certified anti-communist nationalist, he was a Roman Catholic, and he understood English." English language ability was rare among Vietnamese at the time. 21 July The Geneva Accords were signed in Paris. The accords called for a cease fire in the war, the independence of Vietnam, its division at the 17th parallel of latitude into two provisional states, North Vietnam and the State of Vietnam (South Vietnam), and the
Anglo-Thai Peace Treaty which clause undercut the authority of Pridi Banomyong's government. After its enactment, the United States and Britain restored diplomatic relations with Thailand on 5 January. The next day a general election was held. After the treaty, the United States lent $10,000,000 to Thailand for the reconstruction of her transportation network, heavily damaged by American bombing. Thailand joined the United Nations on 16 December 1946. A separate Australian–Thai Peace Treaty, required by the Australian declaration of war of 2 March 1942 and the adoption of the Statute of Westminster, was signed on 3 April 1946. Anglo-Thai Peace Treaty The Anglo-Thai Peace