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 The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.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Repealed Prohibition (18th Amendment).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
AP Exam Connection
Unit 2 — Interactions Among Branches (25–36% of AP exam)
The 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two terms is tested in scenarios evaluating democratic accountability. Know both sides: term limits prevent dangerous executive power concentration; term limits also remove experienced leaders and create structural 'lame duck' dynamics that reduce second-term political leverage.
Memory Tricks
"Amendment 22 = two terms max. FDR's four elections caused it." Franklin Roosevelt won four presidential elections (1932–1944) and died in office. Congress passed the 22nd Amendment (ratified 1951) limiting presidents to two terms. It made Eisenhower and Reagan — both potentially winnable for a third term — ineligible.
"Lame duck = can't run again = diminished leverage." In a second-term president's final year, Congress and foreign leaders know they face no electoral consequences. This reduces the president's leverage because he cannot reward allies or threaten opponents through future campaign support.
AP-Style Writing Practice
Amendments 20-22 modified the structure and operation of the executive branch, addressing presidential terms, succession, and administrative transitions.
- Describe what the 22nd Amendment provides and explain what historical event prompted its ratification.
- Explain the term 'lame duck' president and how the 22nd Amendment's two-term limit affects second-term presidential power.
- Evaluate whether presidential term limits strengthen or weaken American democracy, considering arguments on both sides.
Tip: Part A: 22nd Amendment (1951) prohibits election to presidency more than twice. FDR's four elections prompted it. Part B: A 'lame duck' cannot seek reelection — reduced leverage because no future campaign rewards or threats. Part C must take a position: For limits = prevents power concentration, fresh leadership. Against limits = removes experienced leaders, creates lame-duck problem, reduces long-term planning.