Washington Set the Two-Term Presidential Tradition That Lasted 150 Years

George Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms as president in 1797, even though he could have served for life. This set a powerful unwritten precedent that every subsequent president followed for 150 years — until Franklin D. Roosevelt broke it by winning a third term in 1940. Congress formally codified Washington's tradition in 1951 with the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.

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https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=29

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Published: April 8, 2026
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George Washington History Politics

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