a) Harry S. Truman

President Harry S. Truman initiated the ‘Point Four Program’ in his 1949 inaugural address, focusing on technical assistance and economic aid to developing countries. This program aimed to provide scientific, technical, and industrial knowledge to assist the economic and social advancement in underdeveloped areas. It represented a shift in U.S. foreign aid policy towards a more developmental approach, emphasizing the role of technology and industrialization in combating poverty and promoting world peace. The Point Four Program was a cornerstone of Truman’s foreign policy and reflected the U.S.’s commitment to international development during the early Cold War period.