Twenty-second Amendment, amendment (1951) to the Constitution of the United States effectively limiting to two the number of terms a president of the United States may serve. It was one of 273 recommendations to the U.S. Congress by the Hoover Commission, created by Pres. Harry S. Truman, to reorganize and reform the federal government. It was formally proposed by the U.S. Congress on March 24, 1947, and was ratified on Feb. 27, 1951.
The Constitution did not stipulate any limit on presidential termsindeed, as Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist 69: That magistrate is to be elected for four years; and is to be re-eligible as often as the people of the United States shall think him worthy of their confidence. (Hamilton also argued, in Federalist 71, in favour of a life term for the president of the United States.) George Washington, the countrys first president, opted to retire after two terms, setting a de facto informal law that was respected by the countrys first 31 presidents that there should be rotation in office after two terms for the office of the presidency.
Britannica Quiz
U.S. Presidential Elections Quiz
Which day of the week are U.S. presidential elections held? Who was George Washingtons running mate? Test your knowledge of U.S. presidential elections with this quiz.
There is no clear indication that the decision to pursue the amendment was triggered by any single event or abuse of power. Indeed, throughout U.S. history, few presidents ever expressed the desire to serve more than the traditional two terms. Ulysses S. Grant sought a third term in 1880, but he was denied his partys nomination. Theodore Roosevelt sought a third term in 1912 but lost (it would have been his second elected term).
In the 1930s, however, the national and global context brought forth an interruption to this two-term precedent.
In the midst of the Great Depression, Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt had won election in 1932 and reelection in 1936. In 1940, as Europe was engulfed in a war that threatened to draw in the United States and without a clear Democratic successor who could consolidate the New Deal, Roosevelt, who had earlier indicated misgivings about a third term, agreed to break Washingtons precedent. A general disinclination to change leadership amid crisis probably weighed heavily on the minds of votersmuch more so than the perceived deep-seated opposition to a third term for a presidentand Roosevelt romped to victory in 1940 and again in 1944.
Following on the heels of the establishment of the Hoover Commission and with Republicans winning a majority in Congress after the 1946 elections, they introduced an amendment to limit the president to two terms. The amendment caps the service of a president at 10 years. If a person succeeds to the office of president without election and serves less than two years, he may run for two full terms; otherwise, a person succeeding to office of president can serve no more than a single elected term. Although there have been some calls for repeal of the amendment, because it disallows voters to democratically elect the president of their choice, it has proved uncontroversial over the years. Nevertheless, presidents who win a second term in office are often referred to as lame ducks, and the race to succeed them often begins even before their inauguration to a second term.
The full text of the Amendment is:
Section 1No 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. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
Read more:
Twenty-second Amendment | United States Constitution ...
- Alan Keyes on the Second Amendment and gun rights [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2011]
- Obama And The Second Amendment [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2011]
- Suzanna Gratia-Hupp Second Amendment [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Attack of the Second Amendment [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- The Second Amendment died in New Orleans [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Suzanna Gratia-Hupp What the Second Amendment is REALLY For [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- The Alex Jones Show - LIVE - June 24th Second Amendment Special [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- SA@TAC - Second Amendment Remedies [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- You Choose '08 Spotlight: Ron Paul on the Second Amendment [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2011]
- IGOLD, Guns, Second Amendment Rights in Illinois and the Madigans [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Gun Law (Second Amendment) [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2011]
- Ron Paul on the Second Amendment (feat. Rachel) [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2011]
- "The Sing-Along Second Amendment" by Roy Zimmerman [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2011]
- Herman Cain on Second Amendment and Abortion [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- Second Amendment Legislative Update with Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2011]
- Alan Gottlieb w/the Second Amendment Foundation: Guns Save Lives Campaign - Las Vegas [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2011]
- Bloomberg's Anti Gun Ad Suggests Second Amendment Enables Terrorists [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2011]
- Gamer Walkthrough: Just Cause 2 - A Second Amendment [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2011]
- WNY Truthers Obama Administration Caught Running False Flag Against Second Amendment [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2011]
- Dr. Suzanna Hupp Explains The Second Amendment [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2011]
- Re: Let's Get Real about the Second Amendment [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2011]
- On the Rights and Privileges of the Second Amendment [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2011]
- Second Annual Knife Rights Sharper Future Award, Sandy Froman [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2011]
- Obama Administration Caught Running False Flag Against Second Amendment [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2011]
- Citizens Arming Against Flash Mobs [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2011]
- Sharron Angle's "Second Amendment Remedies" Statement Is NOT Rhetoric! [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2011]
- Celebrate! Second Amendment Saturday [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2011]
- Gibbs Passes Amendment to Protect Second Amendment Rights [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2011]
- Sen. Jerry Moran: Second Amendment rights not negotiable [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2011]
- Second Amendment and My 20 Second Video Intro [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2011]
- Super Congress To Target Second Amendment.avi [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2011]
- Tribute to the Second Amendment [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2011]
- what the second amendment means to me. [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2011]
- Patriot Pastor explains the Second Amendment [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- Exercising My Second Amendment Right [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- Second Amendment Range Pack Review [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- The Second Amendment-Hero or Villain? [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- Just Cause 2 the reapers stronghold takeover A Second Amendment [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Infowars Special Report With Sheriff Richard Mack: Obama's Stealth Attack on The 2nd Amendment 4/4 [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- 57 Senators Sign Letter Telling To Protect Second Amendment Rights From United Nations [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- Infowars Special Report With Sheriff Richard Mack: Obama's Stealth Attack on The 2nd Amendment 1/4 [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Liberal Mayors Are Freaking Out 'The Second Amendment' [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- The Second Amendment Will Not Be Violated! [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2011]
- Cooking Up A Collective Right: How a Mythical Monster Nearly Swallowed the Second Amendment Whole [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- Marijuana Activist Debates Former ATF Head on Second Amendment [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]
- Infowars Special Report With Sheriff Richard Mack: Obama's Stealth Attack on The 2nd Amendment 2/4 [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- Where does your candidate stand on the Second Amendment? - Video [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- Second Amendment Activist Nikki Goeser and Author John Lott - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Sen. Richard Burr on the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Issa Stands Up for Second Amendment Rights on Real Time with Bill Maher - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- Just cause 2 Second Amendment Walkthrough - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- Kinzinger Supports Legislation to Promote Americans' Second Amendment Right - Video [Last Updated On: November 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2011]
- Second Amendment - Our Safety Our Duty - Video [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2011]
- Second Amendment Rights at Occupy Phoenix 15-10-2011 - Video [Last Updated On: December 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2011]
- Lt. Col. Allen B. West speaks on Second Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Michael Savage on the Second Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: December 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 17th, 2011]
- Darrell Issa on Fast [Last Updated On: January 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2012]
- A Discussion on Being a Pro-Second-Amendment Social Liberal - Video [Last Updated On: January 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2012]
- Mr. Alan Gura on Current Second Amendment Litigation - Video [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2012]
- Second Amendment; A Political Right; Historic Context; Not about Hunting! - Newt Gingrich - Video [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- NEW JERSEY PAYS CASH TO TRASH SECOND AMENDMENT - Alex Jones Infowars Nightly News 2012-01-09 - Video [Last Updated On: January 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2012]
- Second Amendment fan says gun bills go too far [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Tea Party hosts head of Gun Owners of California [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Second Amendment Paranoia - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Second Amendment ~ "Wotan Rains On A Plutocrat Parade" (David E. Williams cover) - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- What is the second amendment? - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Biggest Factor in Gun Rights, Congress, Not Courts [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Judge squelches bid to overturn Illinois gun law [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- A VIEW ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT - Video [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2012]
- Dr. Suzanna Gratia Hupp on The Second Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Second Amendment University - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2012]
- The politics of gunplay [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Gun advocates want ability to bring guns to work parking lots [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Breyer's Robbery Illustrates Why RKBA So Important Everywhere [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- House committee adopts 2nd Amendment language [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Sneaky White House Budget Provisions Undermine the Second Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2012]
- Barack Obama, "Greatest Gun Salesman in America" [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- Open carry advocates battle Upland [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- Tenn. lawmakers debate parking lot gun bill [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2012]
- SAF Condemns Texas Law Prof's Claim that OH School Shooting is 'Exercise of 2A' [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]