George Washington and the Two-Term Precedent

David A. Yalof is vice provost for academic affairs, College of William & Mary, and coauthor of The Enduring Democracy, among other books.

• Foreword by Richard J. EllisPreface and AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: George Washington and the Two-Term Precedent1. Sacrifice (1717–1792): The Quest for a Limited Executive2. Decision (1793–1797): The Second Term and the Decision to Leave Office3. Aftermath (1797–1951): The Presidents Who Followed Washington and the Precedent They FollowedConclusion: Looking Back and Looking AheadNotesBibliographic EssayIndex

Yalof offers for the first time a serious, provocative, and gracefully written account of the two-term presidency. Washington's famous decision to limit his tenure in office, Yalof argues, was more complicated and certainly more interesting than standard mythology suggests. To understand why, you must read this book!" - Stephen Howard Browne, author of The First Inauguration: George Washington and the Invention of the Republic"Yalof reminds us that presidents are usually assessed according to what they do—their lasting accomplishments—rather than what they do not do and by their restraint. Yet, as this book so admirably demonstrates, Washington’s decision to step down after two terms shaped the development of the office, strengthened the young Republic, and remains a relevant cautionary tale today. Both Washington’s lesson and Yalof’s assessment of it offer a timely reminder, contrasting the great Founder’s actions with those of Donald Trump who attempted to negate the results of an election and hold on to power. This most welcome addition to the literature succeeds in dispelling old misconceptions and offering important, new scholarly interpretations about a topic well known to all, yet one that, curiously, has been generally overlooked by researchers." - Robert Watson, Distinguished Professor of American History and Avron Fogelman Research Professor at Lynn University, and author of America’s First Crisis, The Nazi Titanic, The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, George Washington’s Final Battle and Escape!