Why was FDR allowed to serve four terms? (Short Animated Documentary)

FDR (whose name isn't Frederick) is the only US president to win a third term and stay in office for over 8 years. The two-term limit wasn't introduced until after he had snuffed it so why didn't any president before him manage the feat. To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

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[GuildsmanPirate]

“Professional stupid name haver” is a title you could’ve used sooner, but I’m glad you saved it for Wilkie

[DRCR]

“When he took the important constitutional decision…to die.”

Still got it.

[finlty]

Ok. I knew why FDR was elected to 4 terms, but I didn’t realize so many presidents sought a 3rd term. Thanks for the info!

[butcherboy]

0:40
Washington Supporters: We would like you to run in 1800.
George Washington: I died in 1799.

[sugeknightiswatchingyou]

FDR was allowed to serve 4 terms, but James Bissonette could easily serve 9 terms if he wanted to

[cadesummers]

Another fun fact: LBJ could have actually served 3 terms because technically any vice president who assumes the presidency for less than 2 years can still run twice for election

[marscaleb]

I love how this show, despite being a short summary, does enough research and goes into enough detail that even on subjects I already know about I still manage to learn something new.

[markmacanovik]

My respect to the author of these videos. I love history and I am always surprised how he is able to find the most interesting topics in history. Plus his comedy style is insane. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[TE]

"How did the American people react to this and did anyone try to stop him?"
I like to think that this line was in reference to him dying.

[candiman]

His opponent in 1940, Wendell Willkie is actually rather fascinating considering he actually had a pretty similar foreign policy to Roosevelt and thought America should support Britain in the war more, even taking a bit of ire from his own party for doing so. He made a visit to Britain on behalf of both FDR and himself to show that the US' support was bipartisan, and also went to China, where he spoke out against colonialism. He was an advocate of civil rights, criticizing when Roosevelt had to appease the racist southern democrats. He was even considered to be appointed to a position in government by FDR after 1940, but he refused because he wanted to remain a supportive outside voice regarding the efforts around the war. Roosevelt even proposed running him as VP in 1944 after he lost the republican primary! This man was a true example of bipartisanship and cooperation for the good of all and deserves more recognition.

[mam]

Strictly speaking, Roosevelt only really served three terms. He won a fourth, but died so early into it that Truman effectively served the whole thing.

[spudgamer]

Now if we could get an ammendment that established term limits for the senate(I'd go 3 terms if I were setting the limit, I think) and house(I think I'd set that 4 or 5 if it were my choice) as well as a combined limit for all 3(I think I'd set it at no more than 20 years combined between house, senate, and presidency)

[the_fixer]

Perhaps you can answer a question I've always had. Why does Virginia own the lower part of the eastern peninsula that Maryland and Delaware sit on despite not being connected to it by land?

[connorgolden]

This is one I already know. The term limit thing wasn’t law yet. It was a mix of tradition, no one wanting to run again, and losing if they did.

[arananation]

I love how when someone dies in these clips the character just tips over. 😂gets me every time!

[nicolaso.]

1:45 "Professional stupid name haver" man his British humor is the best.

[danielrichwine]

Grant came very close to getting a third term. He was immensely popular.

[Stonewall]

Jefferson was the one who established the two term precedent by saying that nobody should serve longer than Washington and declining to run for a third term.

[Autumn-kopr]

We need a playlist of all of these in chronological order to get a full summary of strange history tidbits

[MarylandballProductions]

0:04 “not you, Dave, you know nothing” 😭💀