Final answer:
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution officially established the Vice President's role as next in line for the presidency, ensuring a clear process for succession and addressing situations of presidential disability and vice presidential vacancies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Vice President’s role as next in line for the presidency was officially established by the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The Constitution originally provided limited details regarding presidential succession and only indicated that in the case of the removal, death, or resignation of the President, the Vice President assumes the presidency. However, the 25th Amendment, adopted in 1967, clarified and formalized this process. This amendment not only confirmed that the Vice President becomes President upon such occurrences but also set clear procedures for cases of presidential disability and the need to fill a vice presidential vacancy.
The 25th Amendment thus helped ensure the continuity of government by addressing succession to the Presidency and establishing procedures for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President and responding to Presidential disabilities. The historical context, such as Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson's succession to the presidency following President Kennedy's assassination, further illustrates the importance of having a clear constitutional provision for presidential succession.
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