The Four Point Speech was the inaugural address of United States president Harry S. Truman, delivered on Thursday, January 20, 1949.

In a world only recently emerged from the shadow of war, in which freedom and human rights seemed under threat from many sides, this was Truman's response.

He challenged both Democrats and Republicans to assist people around the world struggling for freedom and human rights; to continue programs for world economic recovery; to strengthen international organizations; and to draw on the expertise of the United States to help people across the world help themselves in the struggle against ignorance, illness and despair.

From time to time, politicians—especially Democrats—align themselves with Truman's position by referring publicly to this speech.

The four points

Extracted from the speech, see the full text for context and detail.

"First, we will continue to give unfaltering support to the United Nations and related agencies, and we will continue to search for ways to strengthen their authority and increase their effectiveness."

"Second, we will continue our programs for world economic recovery."

"Third, we will strengthen freedom-loving nations against the dangers of aggression."

" Fourth, we must embark on a bold new program for making the benefits of our scientific advances and industrial progress available for the improvement and growth of underdeveloped areas."

External links

• Full text of speech
• Referring speech by Madeleine Albright
• Referring statement by Howard Dean