How did government leaders of developing nations first try to modernize their economies

They have tried to use the traditional economy based on rural production.

Explanation:

The countries considered to be underdeveloped have guided their respective national developments based on a list of economic limitations caused by a variety of reasons: colonial domination, external influence, internal political problems, late development, economic dependence, corruption, among others.

In general, all the economies of underdeveloped countries on the planet are known for their attempts at economic advancement marked by purely rural production. Industrialization in these cases has taken place more strongly since the 1950s, so in many countries this process is still at an early stage, as is the case in some parts of Africa and Asia. In others, such as a good part of Latin America, North Africa and South Africa, as well as a fraction of the Asian countries, the industrialization process is in a more advanced stages, although it has been belatedly established in relation to the countries developed countries.

they united the colonies in their fight against the british.

answer: you could try asking a family member maybe?