The Elysée Accords were an agreement signed at the Élysée Palace on March 9, 1949 by ex-emperor Bảo Đại which gave Vietnam greater independence from France. The Accords received final ratification by the French National Assembly on January 29, 1950 and were signed by President Vincent Auriol on February 2. The agreement was intended to increase U.S. support for France’s actions in Indochina as well as to convince Bảo Đại that France would give Vietnam greater independence. The accords stated that Vietnam could conduct its own foreign affairs, control its finances and have an army; although, the agreements fell short of granting complete independence.
The agreements led to the U.S. moving from a position of neutrality to supporting Bảo Đại. The French portrayed their actions in Indochina as fighting the communism of Hồ Chí Minh while attempting to regain control of their colonies after World War II.