The historical event that marked the end of French colonialism in Indochina was the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This decisive engagement saw Vietnamese forces, led by the Viet Minh, decisively defeat French troops, signaling a shift in colonial power dynamics in Southeast Asia. The subsequent Geneva Accords resulted in the partition of Vietnam and established a trajectory toward increased conflict, notably the Vietnam War. The battle not only ended French colonial rule but also inspired anti-colonial movements globally, reinforcing the momentum for decolonization during the mid-20th century.