John Foster Dulles Biography

Birth of John Foster Dules

President Woodrow Wilson appointed Dulles as legal counsel to the United States delegation to the Versailles Peace Conference where he served under his uncle, Secretary of State Robert Lansing

Appointed Delegate to the Paris Peace Conference, chief US spokesman on reparations

Appointed Delegate to the Paris Peace Conference, chief US spokesman on reparations

Dulles participated in the San Francisco Conference as an adviser to Arthur H. Vandenberg and helped draft the preamble to the United Nations Charter

Appointed delegate to the United Nations General Assembly

Concludes the US peace Treaty with Japan

As Secretary of State, Dulles concentrated on building up NATO and forming other alliances (a phenomenon described as his "Pactomania") as part of his strategy of controlling Soviet expansion by threatening massive retaliation in event of a war

Appointed Secretary of State

Dulles supervised the completion of the Japanese Peace Treaty, in which full independence was restored to Japan under United States terms

As Secretary of State, Dulles concentrated on building up NATO and forming other alliances (a phenomenon described as his "Pactomania") as part of his strategy of controlling Soviet expansion by threatening massive retaliation in event of a war

As Secretary of State, Dulles concentrated on building up NATO and forming other alliances (a phenomenon described as his "Pactomania") as part of his strategy of controlling Soviet expansion by threatening massive retaliation in event of a war

Dulles supervised the completion of the Japanese Peace Treaty, in which full independence was restored to Japan under United States terms

Appointed Secretry of State

Supports CIA-backed plans to overthrow Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Supports CIA-backed plans to overthrow Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Supports CIA-backed plans to overthrow Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Supports Operation PBSUCCESS, the CIA-backed overthrow of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala.

Dulles lobbied Eisenhower on behalf of the American United Fruit Company to instigate a military coup by the Guatemalan army through the CIA under the pretext that Jacobo Arbenz's Government and the Guatemalan Revolution were veering toward communism. Dulles had previously represented the United Fruit Company as a lawyer, and remained on its payroll, while his brother, CIA director Allen Dulles, was on the company's board of directors

The US Air Force transports 1,000 French paratroopers from Europe to Vietnam. Chief architect of the SEATO Pact. Admits the USA provides 10x more support to France than Russia & China to Vietnam

iDulles became the architect of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). The Treaty, signed by representatives of Australia, Britain, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States, provided for collective action against aggression

Supports Operation PBSUCCESS, the CIA-backed overthrow of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala.

iDulles became the architect of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). The Treaty, signed by representatives of Australia, Britain, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States, provided for collective action against aggression

Dulles became the architect of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). The Treaty, signed by representatives of Australia, Britain, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States, provided for collective action against aggression

Named Time's Man of the Year for 1954

Directs US diplomacy during the Geneva Conference on Indochina

American delegates attended the Geneva summit but scarcely participated.

But the plan hatched at Geneva was undermined and sabotaged by a lack of support.

The Geneva conference adopted a similar approach in Vietnam.

US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, a vehement anti-communist, refused to recognise, shake hands with or speak directly to Chinese or Viet Minh delegates.

Vietnamese territory would be divided temporarily into north and south, then given a road map to free elections, self Government, reunification and independence.

The Viet Minh delegates did not wish to sign: they sceptical about the scheduled 1956 elections and reluctant to agree to the 17th parallel border, which would mean surrendering territory to the South. In the end the Viet Minh representatives signed on the instructions of Ho Chi Minh, who was himself under pressure from the Soviet Union and China

A joint US-French naval task force was assembled near Haiphong harbour, while US personnel and aid workers organised refugee camps, food and medical supplies in South Vietnam.

The Geneva Accords also provided a 300 day grace period, so that civilians could relocate to North or South Vietnam.

The United States began providing assistance to those Vietnamese who wanted to move south.

This process – pointedly titled Operation Passage to Freedom – was part humanitarian mission, part propaganda ploy.

A joint US-French naval task force was assembled near Haiphong harbour, while US personnel and aid workers organised refugee camps, food and medical supplies in South Vietnam.

The Geneva Accords also provided a 300 day grace period, so that civilians could relocate to North or South Vietnam.

The United States began providing assistance to those Vietnamese who wanted to move south.

This process – pointedly titled Operation Passage to Freedom – was part humanitarian mission, part propaganda ploy.

Chief architect of the Baghdad Pact

Dulles supports a conditional American contribution toward the first construction phase.

Opposes the Anglo-French invasion of the Suez Canal zone in response to the Suez Crisis

Opposes the Anglo-French invasion of the Suez Canal zone in response to the Suez Crisis

Dulles informs Egypt that the United States will not proceed with the financing offer.

Dulles urges Britain and France to pursue negotiation rather than immediate military action.

Supports a maritime conference in London to seek international arrangements for operation of the Suez Canal.

Dulles develops the Suez Canal Users Association proposal as a non-military alternative to confrontation.

Dulles presses for the users association while trying to restrain British and French moves toward force.

Promotes the Suez Canal Users Association as an alternative to immediate military action over the canal dispute.

Opposes the Anglo-French-Israeli use of force and supports a diplomatic settlement through the United Nations.

Dulles receives reports indicating that Israeli military action against Egypt may be imminent.

Opposes the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt and backs United Nations action to end the crisis.

Backs the creation of an international emergency force as a way to separate the combatants.

Issues a statement to protect Middle East countries from Communism. Chief architect of the Eisenhower Doctrine

The Eisenhower Doctrine is supported by a Congressional resolution

Restricts arms shipments to Batista's government.

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom and the Sylvanus Thayer Award

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom and the Sylvanus Thayer Award

Resigns due to ill health, evidence of bone metastasis after developing colon cancer

Resigns due to ill health, evidence of bone metastasis after developing colon cancer

Death of John Foster Dules

Death of John Foster Dulles

Interred at Arlington National Cemetery