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First POTUS George Washington declines a third term
While George Washington was still admired by most of the public by the end of his second term, he decided to not run for a third term. Towards the end of his second term, newspaper attacks on his administration make him ready to retire. He ends up retiring to Mount Vernon. -
Thomas Jefferson Does Not Go for Third Term
After Thomas Jefferson wins against John Adams, he serves two terms. After considering possibilities, Jefferson chooses to voluntarily step down. He keeps the trend of Presidents only serving two terms going. This is monumental because this keeps the tradition that will continue to be followed by future Presidents. -
President Grant for Third Term?
Nearing the end of his second term, President Ulysses S. Grant thinks to run for a third time. Being a Republican with the House of Representatives being mostly Democrats, the House "denounces a third term as a violation of American political tradition". Grant chooses to still run but his party chooses different candidates instead. This is monumental because this is the first try after almost 70 years of Presidents only serving two terms. -
Theodore Roosevelt Goes for a Third Term
After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Roosevelt becomes President. He serves the rest of McKinley's term and is reelected in 1905. After his reelection, Roosevelt decides to honor the two-term tradition and not run in 1909. However, in 1912, Theodore has a falling out with successor President William Taft and decides to challenge him for President. In the end, Woodrow Wilson ends up becoming President instead of either man. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt is Elected for a Third Term
During this time, the Great Depression was happening. The U.S. citizens were in a panic. He had already served two years and guided the nation through the GD. And with a possible war in Europe, FDR breaks tradition and runs for a third term in 1940. Even with an opponent working with the nation's newspapers, Roosevelt becomes the FIRST President to ever be elected for a third term. -
FDR is Elected for a Fourth term
While being in the middle of the second World War, Franklin D. Roosevelt runs for President for a fourth time. During debates, Roosevelt's opponent criticizes FDR's age and health. While successfully winning the Presidency for a fourth time, FDR sadly dies only four months into his Fourth term in April of 1945. -
Republicans Pass 22nd Amendment
After Democrats have control of both the Senate and the House since the beginning of the Great Depression, Republicans regain control. One of the main objectives of the Republicans is the proposal of a constitutional amendment that prevents a President from serving more than two terms. President Harry Truman, who took over for Former President Roosevelt in 1945, supports the proposal. Congress approves the 22nd Amendment and sends it to the states with a 7 year deadline for ratification. -
Truman Says No to a Third Run
With the 22nd Amendment still in the works, President Truman is exempt from the amendment. When coming into the Presidency after being Vice President for four months, few people thought he would be reelected in 1948. Truman ends up winning but ends up becoming less popular as the Korean War breaks out. Truman, who is eligible to run for a third term, declines to run for President after serving two terms. -
The First President Restricted to 2 Terms
President Dwight D. Eisenhower ends up winning the Presidency but is the first President to fall under the 22nd Amendment. He remains popular after serving his 2 terms and many believe that if the 22nd Amendment wasn't passed, he would have won a third term. This is important because this is the first time the 22nd Amendment has been used since being passed. -
A Repeal of the 22nd Amendment is Proposed
Ronald Reagan is in his second term as President when Republican representative Guy Vander Jagt introduces the bill to Repeal the 22nd Amendment. Congress chooses not to act. During Bill Clinton's second term, Democrats also tried to get a repeal but again nothing came from it. This is important because it shows how people try to change the Amendment but it is still holding strong till this day.