History Resources

Campaigning against Franklin Roosevelt’s third term, 1940

A Spotlight on a Primary Source by Republican National Committee

Republican Party campaign poster, 1940 (GLC09545)Franklin Roosevelt’s run in 1940 for a third consecutive term as president was unprecedented. George Washington established a two-term tradition when he declined to run for a third term in 1796, and until 1940, no other president received support from his party to run for a third term.

In 1940, Republicans were apprehensive of Roosevelt’s expansive New Deal policies, the potential for US intervention in World War II, and the implications of a third term in office for the nation and the candidate. In this broadside, the Republican National Committee laid out five reasons to "Vote Against a Third Term and Dictatorship," noting that a third term would go against American historical tradition as well as make the man holding the office "believe that his will alone should be the law."

A pdf of the document is available here.

Questions for Discussion

Read the introduction and study the broadside. Then answer the following questions based on the document and your knowledge of American history.

  1. The Republican National Committee argued that a third term would violate “the American safeguard against usurpation of power as established by Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Cleveland.” How did each of those presidents secure this “safeguard”? Explain.
  2. Look at the varied type sizes and styles used throughout the broadside. What phrases and words are emphasized, and why?
  3. Franklin Roosevelt is not mentioned by name in the broadside. Why do you think that is?
  4. Create your own broadside arguing in favor of Roosevelt’s election to a third term.
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