Final answer:
The Geneva Conference ended with an agreement intended for Vietnamese peace and independence, which led to a temporary division of Vietnam and set the stage for the Vietnam War. The accords showed the difficulty of implementing international agreements, influencing future conflict resolution but failing to provide lasting peace in the short term.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Geneva Conference that concluded in 1954 was a significant event with the primary aim of resolving issues stemming from the Korean and Indochina wars. After French forces were defeated at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu by a Vietnamese army, there was a critical necessity to establish peace and sovereignty for the Vietnamese people, leading to the creation of the Geneva Accords. The provisions of these accords intended to facilitate the process towards peace and independence but ultimately, the agreements reached at Geneva set the stage for further conflict in Vietnam.
Following the conference, Vietnam was temporarily divided into North and South Vietnam along the 17th parallel, with the intention of holding national elections in 1956 to reunify the country. However, the elections were never held, leading to a commitment breakdown and contributing to the start of the Vietnam War. The Geneva Accords did not adhere effectively, showcasing the challenges of implementing international agreements in the post-colonial context.
The Geneva Conference's impact on global affairs didn't stop at the borders of Vietnam; it had long-lasting effects on geopolitical dynamics and colonialism's legacy, particularly in French-colonized nations. This event later influenced the international community's approach to conflict resolution and decolonization, although, in the short term, it failed to establish lasting peace in Vietnam.