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Character Traits Contribute To Benedict Arnold's Role In History

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Certain character traits contribute to Benedict Arnold’s role in history. Benedict Arnold was an American Revolutionary War general most famous for his betrayal of the Continental Army in the year 1780. Before he turned on his fellow Patriots, Benedict Arnold was a true war hero. He was a complicated and interesting man that today is mostly remembered for just his treason. But, many people forget that before Arnold was a turncoat, he was a courageous military leader that contributed to many of the Americans’ victories in the Revolutionary War. 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 …show more content…

Arnold showed bravery in many moments, including the time when he argued with General Horatio Gates in the Battle of Bemis Heights until he was able to force him to make an important military decision. Arnold also later bravely disobeyed what Gates had said and helped his fellow troops on the battlefield (Murphy 167). Bravery was also shown when he joined Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys and captured Fort Ticonderoga. “Arnold had no experience in battle. But he had wits, drive, and a lack of fear.” states page thirty-six of Benedict Arnold: From Patriot to Traitor on when he received orders from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to attack Ticonderoga (Dell 36). Benedict also showed bravery when he led a group of one-thousand troops through the Maine wilderness during the attack on Quebec City (Dell

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