Point Four

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POINT FOUR

U.S. aid program to the Middle East under the Truman Doctrine.

The name refers to the fourth point made in U.S. president Harry Truman's 1949 inaugural speech, wherein he cited the need to support democracy and economic stability where small nations are threatened by outside (that is, Soviet) influence.

Point Four led to unprecedented U.S. military and economic aid to the Middle East, allocated under various programs, expanding aid given to Turkey and Greece under the Marshall Plan since 1947. Of the $2.94 billion in military equipment sent to the region during the 1950s, Turkey received $1.87 billion, with Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia receiving lesser amounts. Aid also went to agricultural projects and to Palestinian refugees.


Bibliography


Bryson, Thomas A. American Diplomatic Relations with the Middle East, 1784–1975: A Survey. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1977.

elizabeth thompson

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