Benedict Arnold A Hero Or A Traitor

The argument over Arnold’s place in American history has carried into this century. All the Americans relate George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson as their heroes, but there is a debate whether Benedict Arnold was a victim or a traitor. Arnold was a general during the American Revolutinary War, and he fought for the Continental Army. His name became synonymous with the word traitor. Benedict Arnold was a Revolutionary Hero that had a huge effect on succeeding in the war. He had motivated a lot of soldiers during the war with his victorious discourses, and battles. Determination could be one of the most important reasons why the Patriots won the war, and had a chance to create their own country. These days, kids are in

Through vivid descriptions of George Washington, I learned that he was not the best military leader. There were multiple times in the war where Washington was faced with difficult decisions, and proved to be very indecisive. Also, there were times where action needed to be taken, but he couldn’t decide what to do. Even though I learned Washington wasn’t as great as the history books explain him to be, it makes me respect him more to know that he, just like any other American, flawed.

Although Benedict Arnold was a traitor to America in the American Revolution, he was a somewhat valuable general. Benedict Arnold did retire from his position after the soldiers repeatedly complained about him. This happened because of his hot temper, impulsiveness, and impatience. With these not-so-great traits about him, it earned him many enemies that would accuse him of false actions.

Benedict Arnold was a general during the Revolutionary War, whom fought for the American army but eventually betrayed them and fought for the British. Included in this report will be his biographical information, the major events and people in his life which influenced him to become the person he was, and why he was important. I will be using this information to explain what made him a leader.

In life we all want to see things as black and white, cut and dry, and easy to understand. This is not the case with Robert E. Lee. He was smart, loyal and above all, complicated. We like to make him out as some old general guy who fought for the South in the Civil War. Eventually lost at Gettysburg and because it was the turning point of the Civil War; he became famous for losing. He is a lot more than just that. He was an actual person who, from his birth up to his death, dealt with real life situations.

When you hear the quote “old soldiers never die they just fade away” you'll think of him and all of the good things he did for us and what a hero he really is. He served in both of the wars and ran for presidency.

The life of Benedict Arnold, is a legendary American story, about military victory, dishonor, and treason. In many ways, Benedict Arnold was a hero, a member of the sons of liberty, who rose to the rank of general, and won historic battles during the Revolutionary war. If Benedict Arnold was killed in the battle of Quebec, history would have remembered him very differently. However, Benedict Arnold succumbed the great moral dilemma of greed, which ultimately tarnished his image in American minds. Because of his deceit his military triumphs were forgotten, and replaced with being remembered as a great American traitor. However, to fully understand why Benedict Arnold turned his back on America, a careful examination of his early life, revolutionary war contributions, and decision to join the English Crown is required.

He wasn’t getting enough money or recognition in the continental army. Other civilian leaders were getting more recognition than he was, even though he served the patriots faithfully for five years. Arnold did accomplish more for the British than the patriots though. He won 3 battles and had the rank of Brigadier General, which is one rank below major general, in one year. In the end Benedict Arnold did almost cost war.

Benedict Arnold is a name known throughout America as a name that directly relates to a traitor. Everyone knows he betrayed his country, but not many know exactly why. No one betrays someone or something without a reason and this is the same with Benedict Arnold. In this paper I’m going to discuss his life and events leading up to his betrayal and his untimely death. This is the story of Benedict Arnold the revolutionary traitor.

Later on his father died after being arrested repeatedly for his drunkenness. After these series of events Arnold settled in New Haven to be working as a pharmicist and a bookseller. 1764 came and Benedict partnered up with Adam Babcock to

Benedict Arnold, born January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut, had succeeded to be an all around, skilled man. His childhood, “was full of hardships that took a lot of loneliness and work to get over.” Throughout his childhood, he dealt with great quantities of loss, as well as the fact he had to scurry for survival. Therefore, Benedict worked many jobs to help his situation, and despite the troubles, he always seemed to be determined to do more. After all of his jobs, Benedict wanted to be in the militia, as well as join the sons of liberty, “to take action over the violated rights and frustration that taxes are bringing.” Over the years in the militia, Benedict won and lost many battles, fighting as a proud citizen of the colonies. It has been heard that he has a major problem with an outburst of opinion, and “has made many enemies in command.” The New York Gazette can make the

Arnold was born on January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. He was one of five children, and only him and his sister survived childhood. At age 15, Arnold ran away from home to join the Connecticut militia to fight in the French and Indian War (Gaines 11). For Arnold’s education, he went to a tutor at a very young age. After that, Arnold attended Prudence Crandall’s School in Canterbury and was later taught by a man known as Reverend James Cogswell. He was expected to go to Yale, but dropped out due to father’s alcoholism (Gaines

“After so many sacrifices, he became disillusioned with the war’s progress,” Linda Creighton explains in her article, “...he grew deeply mistrustful of the cause's civilian leaders and, ultimately, Arnold himself felt betrayed” (Creighton). As a result of this “betrayal”, Arnold criticized the mindset of the his former peers in his “Proclamation to the officers and soldiers of the Continental Army”, arguing that their own act of treason against the British “has robbed [them] of [their] property, imprison [their] persons, drags [them] to the field of battle, and is daily deluging [their] country with [their] blood” (Arnold). Although his Proclamation acts as a method of trying to appeal Continental soldiers and not as a list of reasons of why he’s betraying the country, the source still provides a great example of his sentiment during this period of the war. Furthermore, Arnold’s interest in money contributed to the reasoning behind his disloyal actions. When he completely lost faith in the American war effort, Arnold reached out to British Major John André and “plotted to sell West Point to the enemy for 20,000 British pounds” (Creighton). Consequently, André was captured and executed and Arnold was later exposed as a traitor, betraying the trust of George Washington, the commander-in-chief who gave

He conspired with the British and sold them information of West Point and how to capture it. He did this because he wanted more money, and the British would give it to him. He also wanted more attention, which the British also gave him. Thankfully, this plot was discovered because the caught his British contact. His contact was hung and Arnold would have been too if he had been caught.

1. I have known Antonio Arnold for over thirty years in the Army Reserves. I can say emphatically, and without equivocation, that SSG (Ret.) Antonio Arnold operated in excellence as a professional Soldier and servant of our democracy. He was one of the most influential leaders I have witnessed in my career. He always gave 100% and strived to better himself and support his peers and subordinates.