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
At the end of his military career for the Patriots, Benedict was a Major General. He fought and won 8 battles for the patriots. Of which included Fort Ticonderoga, West Point, and Quebec City. Benedict also planned many of the attacks for the patriots. He only fought in 3 battles for Great Britain.
Benedict Arnold was an American general that served during the American Revolution and later defected to the United Kingdom. In the beginning of the war, he was a celebrated war hero in the Continental Army. He led the assault on Quebec, captured Fort Ticonderoga, and defeated the British during the Saratoga campaign. Even with these achievements, he felt Congress did not promote him to the rank he deserved. Benedict Arnold betrayed the colonies because he felt deserved more respect and a higher rank in the Continental Army.
Benedict Arnold helped win battles for the Americans at Fort Ticonderoga, and The Battle at Saratoga. His battles lead him to great victories, made him famous, and he was known as a great general in the army. Soon after, Mr.Arnold hurt his leg and took control of West Point. He started to become short in money, so he said he would join the British if they made him commander of an army, and game him 1000 pounds. (1242.80 US dollars) The british agreed, so he joined them.James Armistead leaked info from the Battle of Yorktown and told them to the American group where the British Ships were landing and he gave them all the info to attack at where the ammunitions are in the building. The British were shocked cause only the General's knew where
Benedict Arnold was a general during the Revolutionary War who fought as an American in the Continental Army and then ultimately defected to the British Army. To this day, his name is synonymous with the word "traitor". Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut on January 14, 1741. Arnold's mother was Hannah Waterman King and his father was Benedict Arnold Sr. His family was wealthy, up until poor business decisions changed their financial status. The deaths of three children from Yellow Fever also affected Benedict Sr. , who turned to drinking.
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
John Andre’s role of getting caught as a spy made Benedict Arnold name from hero to enemy. When Andre got caught he was hiding six letters written in Benedict Arnold’s handwriting telling the British how to take the fort. Since the letter’s were in the great general Benedict Arnold’s handwriting it ruined Arnold’s reputation and name for the rest of history. From Andre getting caught it also showed that Arnold was a
The book opens to a grim scene of a crowded field, filled with angry and shocked people, surrounding the gallows and looking at the road ahead as a band marched in playing a funeral march. Behind the band marched the broken and defeated Benedict Arnold, former general of the rebel army and traitor to the new country of The United States, in prison rags and shackles. The somber scene concludes with Arnold swallowing his saliva and marching onward towards his sure death. The story of Benedict Arnold begins 39 years earlier in the port town of Norwich, Connecticut. Benedict Arnold was born to a wealthy family in Norwich in one of the coldest winter months ever recorded. He was named after his dead brother of the same name and was some what of a rebel in his younger days. His parents sent him off to a respected boarding school where his real troubles began. In August of 1753 he received a letter from his mother, Hannah. It told of an awful outbreak of yellow fever in Norwich that is soon to claim the lives of his younger sisters Mary and Hannah. Two weeks later he received a follow up, in which his mother stated that Hannah was out of danger but his 8 year old sister, Mary, was dead. Soon after, Benedict's youngest sister, Elizabeth, died of yellow fever. As his pranks and tricks at school became increasingly violent, Benedict's father's shipping business was dying and his drinking problem got worse. Benedict
Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. His mother was born into a rich family, while his father had to work his way up to her status. At a young age, (the exact date is unknown) he quit school to become an apothecary apprentice and earn more money for his mother, father, and ten other siblings. Arnold served in the military during the French and Indian war before the revolution. He was married to Margaret Mansfield in 1767, and they had three children before she died of sickness. In 1779, he married Peggy Shippen, and they had five more children. He was one out of the two children in his family to survive into adulthood. He betrayed America in the war, killing several Americans. He was America’s first big traitor.
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.
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
It is believed that Benedict Arnold was a great general in the revolutionary war. He fought beside George Washington in the continental army. When he was a general for the continental army he had a couple of successful raids and took over british forts. He was also promoted to colonel by Benjamin church. He was doing great during his time with the continental army and his comrades trusted him, and he was praised for his successful attacks. Even though, a couple of his companions did bully and mess with him, they still found him useful when it came to taking over british forts and achieving bountiful attacks towards the british. He even got hurt during an attack on the british. George Washington sent Arnold to attack Quebec where he hurt his knee. As a result, his attack in Quebec failed miserably. This really shows that Benedict arnold was trying his best to be great man and do what was right. After Arnold had done so many
Benedict Arnold sacrificed a lot for the greater good of the American people. Arnold is not given recognition for all of the victories that he had been involved in and at a time during a promotion he gets passed up by low ranking, less talented, less dedicated men than himself. “Major General Horatio Gates took credit for the victory. As if that weren’t enough of an insult, Congress had promoted five officers-all Arnold’s juniors and most far less talented-over him. Even back then politics was part of the equation as Congress ignored Washington's consistent backing and praise for Arnold, whom he admired as a fierce soldier.” (Beck 105). Also, “Benedict Arnold was a hero before he turned traitor. And just how he turned is a complicated story. Arnold made his name in upstate New York, fighting for control of a chain of
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.
However, this is not due to his success on the battlefield, or lack thereof. In fact, in his time in the military, he was defeated in more battles than he was victories in. The trait that many refer to when referring to him as a great general is the fact that he possessed the ability to keep his group, no matter how beaten, bruised, or downfallen, united. He was the sole reason, some may argue, that the revolutionary fire was never put out. He had a knack for inspiring others against all odds, and he was like a father figure for most of the soldiers on the
Julius Caesar is a man famous for his death, but his death was in fact the least exciting part of his life. Stretching from 100 BC to 44 BC, he accomplished much with his life as both a politician and ruler during a prosperous time of ancient Rome that he created. Julius Caesar was an admirable leader of ancient Rome that carried his fame into modern times because of his interesting early life, ways as a military leader, and time as dictator.