<P> Notwithstanding that the Twenty - second Amendment was clearly a reaction to Franklin D. Roosevelt 's election to an unprecedented four terms as president , the notion of presidential term limits has deep roots in American politics . Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 considered the issue ( alongside broader questions , such as who would elect the president , and the President 's role ) extensively . Many -- including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison -- supported a lifetime appointment for presidents , while others favored fixed terms appointments . Virginia 's George Mason denounced the life - tenure proposal as tantamount to establishment of an elective monarchy . Ultimately , the Framers approved four - year terms with no restriction on the amount of time a person could serve as president . </P>
<P> Notwithstanding that the Twenty - second Amendment was clearly a reaction to Franklin D. Roosevelt 's election to an unprecedented four terms as president , the notion of presidential term limits has deep roots in American politics . Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 considered the issue ( alongside broader questions , such as who would elect the president , and the President 's role ) extensively . Many -- including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison -- supported a lifetime appointment for presidents , while others favored fixed terms appointments . Virginia 's George Mason denounced the life - tenure proposal as tantamount to establishment of an elective monarchy . Ultimately , the Framers approved four - year terms with no restriction on the amount of time a person could serve as president . </P>
who was president when the 22nd amendment was ratified
who was president when the 22nd amendment was ratified
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt