The Elysee Agreements were negotiations between Indochina and France ratified in 1950. The French realized that they would not be able to defeat the Vietminh with only military means. Therefore, the French decided to establish an indigenous Vietnamese regime.

However, no real independence would be granted the Vietnamese, only a limited autonomy. France attempted to make it appear as if they were giving the countries of Indochina independence by allowing them to have their own armies, but France would retain actual control of Indochina. Even though they were allowed to have an army, France was given the right to take control and could use its army if they wished during a war.

Also under the Elysee Agreements, the government of the new State of Vietnam would be completely under French control. Bao Dai was appointed by the French to lead this new government. The Vietnamese citizens knew that he was under French order's, so the Vietnamese had to choose between a continual French rule or the Vietminh. Soon, the Vietminh's appeal grew incredibly larger.