Franklin D. Roosevelt, often known by his initials FDR, made history on November 5, 1940, by securing a third term as President of the United States. This victory shattered a long-standing tradition, a precedent initiated by George Washington himself, that no president should serve more than two terms. But FDR didn’t stop there. He went on to win a fourth term, beginning his final tenure on January 20, 1945, solidifying his place as the only U.S. president to have served four terms.
Roosevelt’s unprecedented four consecutive presidential terms were a unique moment in American history, largely shaped by the extraordinary times in which he led. The United States was grappling with the lingering effects of the Great Depression when he sought his third term, and the shadow of World War II was looming large, having already begun in Europe in 1939. While several presidents before him had considered or even aspired to a third term, the confluence of domestic economic crisis and global conflict created a compelling argument for Roosevelt’s continued leadership and stability.
Barbara Perry, a professor and director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, explains the context: “You have economic-domestic issues [the Great Depression] and you have foreign policy with the outbreak of World War II in 1939. And then you have his own political viability—he had won the 1936 election with more than two-thirds of the popular vote.” This combination of factors created a perfect storm for Roosevelt to break the two-term tradition and successfully campaign for a third, and eventually a fourth, term.
However, the very idea of a president serving for such an extended period sparked debate and concern about the potential for abuse of power. Following Roosevelt’s death in 1945, U.S. lawmakers moved to formalize presidential term limits. Just two years later, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, officially limiting presidents to a maximum of two terms in office. This amendment was ratified in 1951, ensuring that no future president could serve more than two terms, solidifying the two-term precedent into law and preventing any president from ever serving 4 terms again.
Prior to the 22nd Amendment, the only barrier to a third term was tradition, a powerful but ultimately unwritten rule. As Perry notes, “There was nothing but precedent standing in his way. But, still, precedent, especially as it relates to the presidency, can be pretty powerful.” Yet, in Roosevelt’s case, the unprecedented circumstances of the era outweighed the power of precedent.
Other U.S. Presidents Who Considered a Third Term
While Franklin D. Roosevelt remains the only president to serve more than two terms, several other presidents before him had contemplated or even attempted to secure a third term, though none succeeded in the same way.
According to the National Constitution Center, the framers of the Constitution were largely against term limits. Despite numerous proposals for amendments to enforce term limits between 1796 and 1940, none were adopted. Most presidents, respecting the precedent set by George Washington, chose not to seek a third term.
Ulysses S. Grant, after serving two terms, sought a third term in 1880 but failed to secure the Republican nomination, which went to James Garfield instead. Theodore Roosevelt, who had served nearly two terms after stepping into the presidency upon William McKinley’s assassination and then winning reelection, attempted to run for a third non-consecutive term in 1912. However, he lost his bid to William Howard Taft. Woodrow Wilson also unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for a third term in 1920. Harry Truman, who became president after FDR’s death, was in office when the 22nd Amendment was passed and was technically exempt from its limitations. He did campaign for a third term in 1952 but withdrew after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary.
Roosevelt’s decision to run for a third term in 1940 occurred as the United States was still officially neutral in World War II, although the president was increasingly concerned about global events and advocating for support for Allied nations.
Perry explains Roosevelt’s mindset: “He was trying to guide us along to try to keep Britain afloat with things like lend-lease. That obviously was preying on his mind and he didn’t think that the U.S. should ‘change horses in midstream’ as this war was building towards what he knew would eventually be our full-fledged intervention in both the European and Pacific theaters.” This sense of impending crisis and the need for experienced leadership resonated with voters.
Roosevelt’s victory in 1940 against Republican challenger Wendell Willkie, while not as overwhelming as his previous win against Alf Landon in 1936, was still decisive. He won 55 percent of the popular vote and a commanding 449 to 82 electoral vote margin.
The Republican Push for Presidential Term Limits
Despite Roosevelt’s popularity and electoral success, his decision to seek a third and then a fourth term was not without opposition. The National Constitution Center points out that his third-term bid led to some key Democratic supporters and advisors abandoning his campaign, highlighting the controversy surrounding breaking the two-term precedent.
Political slogans of the time, like “FDR Out at Third,” reflected the sentiment of those who opposed his unprecedented tenure. Perry notes that despite his widespread popularity, a significant portion of Americans, particularly those in business and wealthier demographics, voted against him, fearing his policies were leading the country towards socialism. “Famously, there were people who would refuse to speak of him by name and would call him ‘That Man,’” Perry recounts, illustrating the strong emotions Roosevelt evoked, both positive and negative. However, Roosevelt remained confident in his popular support and his conviction that he was the right leader to guide the nation through the major crises of the time.
The issue of presidential term limits gained renewed momentum during Roosevelt’s fourth term in 1944. Republicans, along with some Democrats who adhered to the traditional two-term limit, argued strongly for a constitutional amendment to prevent future presidents from serving more than eight years. Thomas Dewey, Roosevelt’s Republican opponent in 1944, warned in a speech, “Four terms or 16 years is the most dangerous threat to our freedom ever proposed,” encapsulating the fear of unchecked presidential power.
Despite this opposition, Roosevelt won his fourth term, defeating Dewey with 54 percent of the popular vote and 432 to 99 in the Electoral College. Tragically, he passed away just 11 weeks into his fourth term on April 12, 1945. His death further galvanized the movement for term limits, culminating in the ratification of the 22nd Amendment two years later. This amendment enshrined the two-term limit into the Constitution, ensuring that Franklin D. Roosevelt would remain the only president in U.S. history to have served four terms, a testament to both his extraordinary leadership and the unique circumstances of his time.
The 22nd Amendment clearly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.” This amendment firmly established the two-term limit as a cornerstone of American presidential governance, a direct consequence of the unprecedented four terms served by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the only president to achieve such a feat.
