The question of presidential term limits in the United States is deeply rooted in American history, tracing back to the very foundation of the nation. While the U.S. Constitution initially didn’t specify term limits for the president, the precedent set by the first president, George Washington, established a long-standing tradition of serving no more than two terms. This unwritten rule held for over 150 years, until the unique circumstances of the 20th century brought about a significant shift. This shift was primarily due to one president who broke this tradition and served more than two terms, leading to a constitutional amendment formally limiting presidential tenures.
The tradition of a two-term limit began with George Washington. Despite the absence of any legal restriction, Washington chose to step down after two terms, believing it essential for the health of the nascent republic and to prevent the presidency from becoming too powerful. This act of voluntary restraint became a powerful norm, influencing subsequent presidents for generations. For over a century and a half, every president, with a few exceptions who sought but did not win a third term, adhered to this unwritten rule, reinforcing the two-term tradition as a cornerstone of American presidential history.
However, the unprecedented challenges of the 20th century, including the Great Depression and World War II, paved the way for a departure from this tradition. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, was elected to the presidency in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression. His leadership during this crisis, and later as the world plunged into World War II, resonated deeply with the American public. Facing global instability and domestic hardship, Americans repeatedly turned to Roosevelt for leadership and stability.
As a result, Franklin D. Roosevelt ran for and won an unprecedented third term in 1940, and then a fourth term in 1944. His decision to seek and win more than two terms was driven by the extraordinary circumstances facing the nation and the world. While his extended tenure was seen by many as necessary and beneficial during these critical times, it also sparked concerns about the potential for executive overreach and the erosion of the two-term tradition. Roosevelt served until his death in April 1945, shortly into his fourth term.
Following Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, and in the aftermath of World War II, concerns about unchecked presidential power grew within Congress. To solidify the two-term tradition into law and prevent any future president from serving indefinitely, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was proposed. This amendment, ratified in 1951, officially limited presidents to a maximum of two elected terms. The amendment states that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice…” and also addresses scenarios of presidential succession, further clarifying term limits.
Since the ratification of the 22nd Amendment, every president has adhered to the two-term limit, ensuring a regular transition of power and reinforcing the principle of limited presidential tenure. While there have been occasional discussions about repealing or modifying the 22nd Amendment, it remains a fundamental aspect of the American political landscape. The legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms ultimately led to the formalization of presidential term limits, shaping the modern presidency and ensuring that no future president can serve more than two terms in office. Thus, Franklin D. Roosevelt stands as the only U.S. President who served more than two terms, a pivotal moment in American history that resulted in the 22nd Amendment and the enshrined principle of presidential term limits.
