John Foster Dulles (; February 25, 1888May 24, 1959) served as
U.S. Secretary of State under Republican President
Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1959. He was a significant figure in the early
Cold War era, advocating an aggressive stance against Communism throughout the world. He negotiated numerous treaties and alliances that reflected this point of view. He advocated support of the French in their
war against the Viet Minh in Indochina but rejected the Geneva Accords that France and the Communists agreed to, and instead supported South Vietnam after the
Geneva Conference in 1954.