Vietnam War started as war of independence. Vienemes nationalists trying to break free from french colonial rule. Backed france after world war two, until france lost the war and got ready to grant vietnom independence in 19 54. At an international conference that year in geneva, major powers discussed the next step for an independent vietnam. U.S., china, the soviet union and the united states negotiate an agreement to temporarily partition the country north and south and to plan national elections to reunite the country.