at a podium in a suit and tie, speaking to a large crowd of people." width="" height="420px" />at a podium in a suit and tie, speaking to a large crowd of people." width="" height="420px" />
The election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 marked a turning point in the history of the United States. After 12 years of Republican presidencies, FDR successfully won two terms as a “New Democrat”—read business-friendly, not tax-and-spend liberal—winning both the 1932 and 1936 elections. But FDR didn’t stop there. He was elected to four terms and served through the Great Depression and most of World War II, making him the longest-serving president in U.S. history.
History Stories has documented how FDR became the first—and only—president to serve four terms. In 1940, the two-term tradition still held. The 22nd Amendment, which would later limit presidents to two terms in office, would not be ratified until 1951. Despite being a two-term incumbent, FDR’s popularity during World War II enabled him to secure the Democratic nomination. With President Franklin Roosevelt’s reelection, he became the first president to serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Republican Party had been rocked by the Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal. FDR’s continuing successes, including his successful prosecution of the war, kept him popular with the public. The Republican candidate, Wendell Willkie, failed to garner enough support to prevent FDR’s reelection.
When FDR won a fourth term in 1944, it was a surprise even to close political observers. Many of his closest advisors and allies had encouraged him to retire rather than seek a fourth term. Ultimately, FDR decided to run again and won a fourth term in a landslide.
The election of a fourth-term president led to widespread discussion and analysis of FDR’s unprecedented accomplishment. Some Americans, including the Republican Party, argued that it was a dangerous precedent, and that the two-term tradition should be reinstated. Supporters of FDR argued that his reelection was a testament to his leadership abilities and that he should be allowed to serve out his last term.
Following FDR’s death in 1945, President Harry Truman was elected in 1948 and 1952, but the two-term tradition was still a powerful force in American politics. Despite the fact that Vice President Lyndon Johnson could have served four terms if he had run in 1968, he decided against it. Republicans, many of whom were motivated by FDR’s presidency and his unprecedented fourth term, were determined to protect the two-term tradition.
In 1996, President Bill Clinton became the first Democrat to serve a second term since FDR. His victory was a testimony to the success of his first term and the power of the two-term tradition. Even though Clinton had been accused of various scandals, voters saw the wisdom in keeping him in office.
In 2016, President Donald Trump won a surprise victory, becoming the first president to be elected without ever having held public office before. His victory marked a major upset for the two-term tradition, as the media and establishment had predicted the election of his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
FDR’s four terms in office remain an important part of American history. Even though presidents are limited to two terms, his presidency has been an important example of how powerful a president can be if given the chance.
