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
Treaty of Turin (1696) Treaty of Turin (1696) The Treaty of Turin (1696) was signed on 29 August 1696 by France and the Duchy of Savoy. Under its terms, Savoy signed a separate peace with France and left the Grand Alliance, an anti-French coalition formed on 20 December 1689 by England, the Dutch Republic and Emperor Leopold. On 7 October 1696, this was followed by the Convention of Vigevano in which France, Savoy, Leopold and Spain agreed a general ceasefire in Italy. The Treaty of Turin was made part of the 1697 Treaty of Ryswick ending the Nine Years' War. Northern Italy provided access