In April 1954 diplomats from several nations – including the United States, the Soviet Union, China, France and Great Britain – attended a conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The Geneva gathering was convened to discuss two Cold War hotspots, Berlin and Korea – but by the time it began the Viet Minh<span> had overrun the French base at </span>Dien Bien Phu<span>, forcing Vietnam onto the agenda. By the start of May, Paris had announced its intention to withdraw from Indochina and dismantle the </span>colonial administration<span> there. The French withdrawal would leave Vietnam without an established national government, placing it at risk of a communist takeover. The Geneva conference was given the unenviable task of arranging for Vietnam’s reunification and self government. The conference produced a set of resolutions known as the Geneva Accords, a road map for Vietnam’s transition to independence. The Accords were not supported by major players, however, so had little chance of success.</span>
Mark Twain used the term "gilded" to refer to theappearance of the period being wonderful while underneath it wasbase and worthless in the same manner that gilded (gold plated)lead can appear to be gold but ut remains worthless.
