Point Four program

Point Four program U.S. foreign aid project aimed at providing technological skills, knowledge, and equipment to poor nations throughout the world. The program also encouraged the flow of private investment capital to these nations. The project received its name from the fourth point of a program set forth in President Truman's 1949 inaugural address. In the cold war the U.S. government used Point Four to win support from uncommitted nations. From 1950 until 1953, Point Four aid was administered by the Technical Cooperation Administration, a separate unit within the Dept. of State. During the administration of President Eisenhower it was integrated into the overall foreign aid program.

Bibliography: See J. B. Bingham, Shirt-sleeve Diplomacy: Point 4 in Action (1954).

Point Four Program A US aid project, so called because it developed from the fourth point of a programme set forth in President TRUMAN's 1949 inaugural address, in which he undertook to make “the benefits of America's scientific and industrial progress available for the improvement and growth of under-developed areas”. From 1950 Congress annually provided technical assistance for the long-term development of industries, agriculture, health and education in developing countries. The project also encouraged the flow of private investment capital to poorer nations. In 1953 it was merged with other foreign aid programmes.

Point Four program US plan to share its scientific and technological knowledge with less developed countries. The plan received its name after it was first proposed by President Truman in his 1949 inaugural address. The plan was funded by the USA, the United Nations and the recipient countries. By 1950 the plan had been included in general US foreign policy.