The 22nd amendment, ratified in 1951, set a limit on the number of terms a president can serve. It changed the presidency by imposing a two-term limit, meaning a person could only serve as president for a maximum of two four-year terms or a total of eight years in office.
Before the 22nd amendment, there was no limit on the number of terms a president could serve. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, was elected to four terms, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. This led to concerns about potential abuses of power or the creation of a presidency with excessive influence.
The amendment aimed to establish a balance of power and prevent the consolidation of too much authority in the presidency. It sought to ensure regular transitions of power and promote the idea of a rotating leadership. By limiting the number of terms, it aimed to prevent the possibility of a president becoming too entrenched in office, maintaining a fresh perspective and avoiding a potential dictatorship.
Overall, the 22nd amendment introduced term limits for the presidency, curbing the potential for abuse of power, promoting democratic principles, and ensuring a regular turnover of leadership in the United States.
7. How did the 22nd amendment change the presidency?
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