Final answer:
The 22nd Amendment, which limits U.S. Presidents to two terms, was influenced by the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served four terms, expanding executive power against the backdrop of the Great Depression and WWII. It aimed to prevent future excessive power consolidation and preserve democratic principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that influenced lawmakers to limit the President to two terms via the 22nd Amendment were shaped by historical context and concerns over the concentration of power. During the 1930s and 1940s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) broke the long-standing tradition established by George Washington by being elected to an unprecedented four terms due to the extraordinary circumstances of the Great Depression and World War II, which gave him a powerful platform and increased presidential power. The 22nd Amendment was proposed after FDR's death and was aimed at restraining the power of the presidency and maintaining the democratic process by preventing any future president from serving more than two terms, thus avoiding the potential for a leader to maintain control indefinitely. It was ratified in 1951 and emerged from a historical understanding that while experienced leadership is valuable, especially in times of crisis, long-term incumbency could lead to excessive power consolidation that may undermine democratic principles.