The Geneva Convention took place in April 26, 1954. This conference dealt with the topic of war between French and Vietnamese nationalists in Indochina, particularly the long war that was taking place in Vietnam.
In this convention, it was decided that the French would withdraw their troops from Northern Vietnam. Vietnam was to be divided at the 17th parallel, and no foreign troop was allowed to enter until elections were held two years later. Although the United States did not sign the agreement, it did commit itself to follow this rule. However, the US ended up breaking this agreement by financing an anti-communist government in the following years.