Amendments 20-22
Presidential Terms and Succession
Constitutional Text
Amendment XX (1933). Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January... Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President.
Amendment XXI (1933). Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Amendment XXII (1951). Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
Amendments Summary
20th Amendment (1933) - "Lame Duck" Amendment
Presidential term starts January 20 (moved from March 4).
Congressional terms start January 3.
Reduces the "lame duck" period between election and inauguration.
21st Amendment (1933)
Repealed Prohibition (18th Amendment). The only amendment that repeals another. States can regulate alcohol.
22nd Amendment (1951)
Presidential term limits - Maximum of two terms (or 10 years if filling unexpired term). Response to FDR's four terms.
Historical Context
FDR's Four Terms
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President four times (1932, 1936, 1940, 1944), breaking the two-term tradition set by George Washington. The 22nd Amendment made this tradition constitutional law.
Prohibition's Failure
The 18th Amendment (1919) led to organized crime, bootlegging, and widespread disregard for the law. The 21st Amendment acknowledged Prohibition's failure after only 14 years.
Key Takeaways
- 20th Amendment - Inauguration Day is January 20
- 21st Amendment - Only amendment to repeal another
- 22nd Amendment - Presidents limited to two terms
- These amendments responded to specific historical events