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 cold war, term used to describe the shifting struggle for power and prestige between the Western powers and the Communist bloc from the end of World War II until 1989.
..... Click the link for more information. 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

U.S. policy of technical assistance and economic aid to less-developed countries. Pres. Harry S. Truman proposed the plan as the fourth point of his 1949 inaugural address. It was approved by Congress and administered by a special State Department agency until it was merged with other foreign-aid programs in 1953. Technical assistance, mainly in agriculture, public health, and education, was provided through contracts with U.S. business and educational organizations. Organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank were created to help develop the program.