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Term Limits were Discussed at New York's Ratifying Convention
Thomas Jefferson, numerous other founding fathers, and most of the leading Anti-Federalists desired term limits for the newly proposed U.S. presidency. Article II, Section 1, Clause 1 talks about the President's term of four years, and this was heavily discussed in New York's Ratifying Convention. However, this section does not refer to anything involving term limits. -
Washington Leaves the Presidency
Washington stepped down as president on March 4, 1797. He didn't have to do this, and many individuals hoped he wouldn't. However, Washington feared that if he died in office, citizens would believe that the presidency would be a life-long term (which he didn't want). He also had always anticipated to depart the presidency once he believed that Constitution was well-established and the country was off to a great start. Washington stepping down paved the way for other presidents to do the same. -
Ulysses S. Grant Ran for a Third Term
In the 1880 election, Ulysses S. Grant tried for a third term, but he was not able to obtain the Republican nomination. This was significant, though, as this was the first time a president had tried to run for a third term. -
FDR wins a Third Term in Office
FDR made the decision to run for his third term in July 1940 as the United States was slowly heading toward its entry into World War II. Roosevelt dominated his election campaign, and ultimately won the election by a wide margin. This was a significant event because his decision strayed away from Washington's example. -
FDR Wins his Fourth Term
The election occurred during World War II, and FDR defeated Thomas E. Dewey. When he was elected, the war had taken a turn in favor of the Allies. However, as a wartime president, his stress increased, and his arteriosclerosis worsened. -
The Death of FDR
FDR passed away on April 12, 1945. Toward the end of his presidency, Bruenn's medical notes were shown to have had him diagnosed with reduced lung capacity, hypertension, acute bronchitis, and acute congestive heart failure. After his death, Harry Truman was sworn into the presidency. -
The 22nd Amendment Moves on From the Proposal Stage
By the time the 80th Congress convened in January 1947, at least 200 presidential term-limit amendments had been proposed by either the Senate or the House. In 1947, the House proposed Joint Resolution 27, allowing for a set limit of two terms, each being four years, for all future presidents. After some revisions from the Senate, the proposed Amendment was passed and went on to the States for the ratification process. -
Truman has the Opportunity to Run Again
Since the 22nd Amendment hadn't been ratified yet, Harry S. Truman was given the opportunity to run for a third term. This was significant because he was the last president to receive this offer. Truman campaigned for a third term but ultimately withdrew after losing the New Hampshire primary. -
The 22nd Amendment Gets Ratified
The 22nd Amendment was ratified on February 27, 1951. It established that term limits on those elected president, and outlined an accompanying series of stipulations regarding the eligibility of succession for unfinished presidential terms. 36 out of the 48 states had ratified the amendment (neither Alaska nor Hawaii had yet been admitted as states). -
Eisenhower has the 22nd Amendment Enforced Upon Him
Eisenhower was the first president to be officially held to two terms. Eisenhower was a popular president even after his two terms and likely could've been elected again for a third term if the 22nd Amendment hadn't placed restrictions upon him to do so. -
Ronald Reagan tried to Repeal the 22nd Amendmnet
Shortly before leaving office, Ronald Reagan was the first president to attempt to repeal the Amendment. Republican Representative Guy Vander Jagt introduced a bill to repeal the Amendment, but Congress did not act upon it. Despite his efforts, he still claimed that the amendment infringed on people's democratic rights. -
Reaction Towards this Amendment
Some have supported the Amendment, saying it is enough for one man, and prevents the U.S. from having executive tyranny. On the other hand, some have opposed it, saying it should be disregarded in times of crisis, or it dismisses people's democratic rights. Truman has even expressed disfavor with it, referring to it as "bad", "stupid", and "one of the worst that has been put into the Constitution, except for the Prohibition Amendment". -
Bill Clinton wanted to Alter the 22nd Amendment
While being interviewed by Rolling Stone, President Bill Clinton suggested that the 22nd Amendment should be adjusted to limit presidents to two consecutive terms but then allow non-consecutive terms due to longer life expectancies. He claimed it was unnecessarily restrictive and that he could have won a third term.