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.