Washington serves only one term

He decides that although it is theoretically possible for him to run for president again, he doesn't want to set a precedent which would encourage people to hold onto the office forever. So, he quits after one term...and a tradition develops limiting presidents to one term.

Eventually, a one-term limit amendment (similar to the two-term limit we hve now) is added to the Constitution.

How do things go from there?
 
He decides that although it is theoretically possible for him to run for president again, he doesn't want to set a precedent which would encourage people to hold onto the office forever. So, he quits after one term...and a tradition develops limiting presidents to one term.

Eventually, a one-term limit amendment (similar to the two-term limit we hve now) is added to the Constitution.

How do things go from there?

I was just thinking about how they should do this. It seems like modern presidents spend election years doing nothing since they're busy and every little thing is hyperanalyzed. Anyways...

It would have an interesting effect on the development of the two parties. I assume Adams would still be our second president, but would Jefferson still be third? I think there's a possibility the Federalists would survive longer as a party.
 
Actually, im guessing that the reverse would be true, that several people would run for two terms, and without a clear precedent, people would try for three or four.
 
Actually, im guessing that the reverse would be true, that several people would run for two terms, and without a clear precedent, people would try for three or four.

I also think this is more likely. American Presidents would likely end up with the same ability Canadian and British Prime Ministers have where as along as the people keep voting for them, they can keep getting elected.
 
All right, so we'll say that the one-term limit is installed in the Bill of Rights as an 11th amendment and go on from there. Washington could probably bully it through to ensure no one tries to abuse the office of the presidency.
 
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