Eisenhower responded to the French defeat with the formation of the SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) Alliance with the U.K., France, New Zealand and Australia in defense of Vietnam against communism. At that time the French and Chinese reconvened Geneva peace talks; Eisenhower agreed the U.S. would participate only as an observer. After France and the Communists agreed to a partition of Vietnam, Eisenhower rejected the agreement, offering military and economic aid to southern Vietnam. Ambrose argues that Eisenhower, by not participating in the Geneva agreement, had kept the U.S out of Vietnam; nevertheless, with the formation of SEATO, he had in the end put the U.S. back into the conflict. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is SEATO? ANS1 Southeast Asia Treaty Organization QSN2 Along with the United States, the United Kingdom and France, who formed SEATO? ANS2 New Zealand and Australia QSN3 What was the purpose of SEATO? ANS3 defense of Vietnam against communism QSN4 What group did France split Vietnam with? ANS4 Communists QSN5 Who met in peace talks with France at Geneva? ANS5 Chinese