The French Indochina War (1946-1954) was a conflict between French colonial forces and the Viet Minh, a communist-led nationalist movement in Vietnam. The war began after World War II when France sought to re-establish its colonial rule over Indochina, which included Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, aimed for independence and fought against French control. The war ended with the decisive Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, where French forces were defeated. This led to the Geneva Accords, which temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, setting the stage for future conflicts, including the Vietnam War.