A Debt Too Far? a Case Study of the Montagnards in Vietnam

This case study of the Montagnard tribes of Vietnam provides a compressed history of the Montagnards from 1857 to present with an emphasis on the French-Indochinese War and then the Vietnam War. Initially, a working knowledge of the Montagnard tribes is required and provided via primarily anthropological sources. This is crucial to highlight the differences between the Montagnards and the mainstream Vietnamese population. With the introduction of missionaries to Indochina, the French influence on the Montagnards became evident. As France tried to re-establish its colonial rule after WWII, the Montagnards supported the French against the Viet Mihn. The question is, why did the Montagnards support the French and vice versa? After the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu and subsequent withdrawal form Vietnam, the Montagnards turned to the U.S. for support. Once again, why did the Montagnards choose to support the U.S. and what did the U.S. gain by supporting the Montagnards? The final section of the paper discusses the DIME (diplomatic, informational, military, economic) instruments of power and how these can be brought to bear in regard to the current Montagnard situation. The conclusion is intended to ask the reader whether or not the U.S. has any obligation to the Montagnards in lieu of the Vietnam War support or the current Montagnard plight. It is an open-ended question by design, but either answer has its own set consequences.