On July 18, 1940, the Democratic National Convention in Chicago made an unprecedented decision that would forever alter American political tradition. Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted the party's nomination for an extraordinary third term as President, shattering the two-term precedent established by George Washington 144 years earlier. This momentous choice came as Europe burned in the fires of World War II, with Nazi Germany's blitzkrieg tactics conquering nation after nation across the continent.
Roosevelt's nomination represented more than a political calculation—it was a recognition that America faced existential challenges requiring experienced leadership. The Democratic delegates, meeting in the Chicago Stadium, understood that the world had changed dramatically since Washington's farewell address, and extraordinary times demanded extraordinary measures.
A Tradition Under Pressure
Since George Washington voluntarily relinquished power after two terms, every American president had honored this unwritten constitutional limit. Washington's precedent had become sacred political doctrine, embodying the democratic principle that no individual should hold executive power indefinitely. Even Thomas Jefferson, despite his popularity, declined to seek a third term, declaring that the two-term tradition served as a crucial safeguard against tyranny.
Roosevelt himself had initially seemed committed to this tradition. As late as 1939, he had suggested he would step down after his second term. However, the rapid deterioration of the international situation and the outbreak of war in Europe created unprecedented circumstances that challenged this long-held precedent.
The World in Crisis
By July 1940, Adolf Hitler's war machine had conquered Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. Britain stood alone against the Nazi onslaught, with the Battle of Britain raging in the skies above London. Many Americans feared that their nation would inevitably be drawn into the conflict, making Roosevelt's foreign policy experience invaluable.
The Democratic Party argued that changing leadership during such perilous times would send a dangerous signal of weakness to both allies and enemies. Roosevelt's New Deal programs had also helped lift America from the depths of the Great Depression, and many believed his steady hand was essential for maintaining domestic stability while navigating international threats.
A Reluctant Candidate's Victory
Roosevelt maintained public ambiguity about his intentions until the convention itself, creating dramatic tension among delegates and the American public. When he finally accepted the nomination, he framed his decision as a reluctant response to duty rather than personal ambition, stating that he had not sought the nomination but would not refuse the call to serve in such critical times.