Imagine a young boy ambitious not to let down his family, like his father did, but to be a hero. A boy determined to not make the same mistakes as his father. Now imagine this boy as a man not only letting down his family, but the entire country of America. This man was Benedict Arnold, who was an American General and who became a traitor during the American revolution. Two marriages, a need for money, and a sad childhood weighed down Benedict causing him to make possibly the worst decision of his life, turning to the British side during the war. There is no denying his intelligence, but Benedict could not make sensible decisions. He stayed a traitor the rest of his life, dying in 1801 in England. Benedict was a bright boy born on January …show more content…
When he was a general in the Continental Army he (with Horatio Gates) lead forces during the Battle of Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga was pivotal to the success of the Continental Army. The Battle of Saratoga was in Saratoga New York, in the Fall of 1777. The British planned a three-part rendezvous. Only one part showed up, but the battle was still not a easy win. This win showcased Benedict Arnold’s leadership and skill. After this win Benedict was respected all over America. Unfortunately this didn’t last long. Benedict’s life and reputation could of been very different if some events were different. As stated on biography.com, “If the musket ball that shattered his thighbone entered his heart he would be remembered as one of this country’s greatest heroes. ``We would have cities named after him, a state named Arnold, monuments for him all over the place.” In 1780, however Benedict Arnold officially turned to the British side. Nobody knows his motive exactly for this action but most believe that he did it for money. He had to support his three sons and his wife. Especially in the time of war everything was hard to come by so Benedict was in a terrible situation. These accomplishments did not come without a price. The Battle of Saratoga was one of the hardest battles of the war. The Continental Army was barely surviving. Troops were tired, small in numbers, sick, and in desperate need of supplies. This all should adds up to a weak army, but not the Continental Army. They fought hard and won. One example of this obstacle is directly from Benedict, he said “Neglected by Congress below, distressed with small-pox; want of Generals and discipline in our Army, which may rather be called a great rabble, our credit and reputation lost, and great part of the country; and a powerful foreign enemy advancing upon us, are so many difficulties we cannot surmount them." Benedict’s personal
Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) is most well known for being traitor in the revolutionary war . He got to the rank of general in the Continental, won many many battles on the american side, and played a role in the capturing of the British garrison at West Point. He grew angry for lack of credit and respect. He also married Peggy Shippen, a British sympathizer. Arnold was commanded to protect West Point, and he made a plan.
While in this job his loyalties began to shift as his resentment toward the Americans built. He made secret negotiations with British authorities to surrender the fort at West Point in exchange for a large amount of money. Benedict’s plan was discovered and the fort at West Point remained with the Americans. Benedict reverted back to the British’s side and soon became widely known as a traitor. Benedict used his wisdom and knowledge to advance the Patriots through the war.
The Continental Army was a major activist group,wanting to change the ways of the British Army for many reasons but mainly for taxing the civilians without consulting the local governing bodies of the colonies. To solve this issue the Continental Army was formed on June 14th, 1775 to fight against the British forces and Benedict Arnold was one of the Continental Army’s most important leaders who provided soldiers hope and passion into achieving a new nation. Benedict Arnold played a major part for the colonists but he is also one of America’s most infamous traitors, who joined the British in an attempt to get money and a high military ranking in exchange for the plans to west point. He and Major Jon Andre would meet up in a discreet place to trade the plans but they got caught in
Benedict Arnold is a historical figure that is famous for his betrayal of America. He grew up in a decently wealthy house hold early on in his life, his mother was a wealthy woman because of her previous marriage. His family would eventually go through some hard times financially and the death of Arnold’s siblings caused Arnold to stress and become a bit of a trouble maker. This wouldn’t have any concern as to why he would betray America would it? Was it the money that was offered?
On January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut, Benedict Arnold, the famed man whose name is now synonymous with “traitor”, was born to Hannah Waterman King and Benedict Arnold Senior. Benedict was named for his great-grandfather, along with his grandfather, father, and older brother, an early governor of the Colony of Rhode Island (U. S. History). He was the second-born out of the 6 Arnold children, unfortunately, only his sister, Hannah, and himself survived to adulthood. His older brother died during infancy and the others fell victim to Yellow Fever when Benedict was twelve. Benedict Arnold Senior. was well respected in upper Norwich society, until his reputation switched from that of a successful businessman to that of a rowdy drunk
The downward spiral of American General Benedict Arnold is a long and sad road. The General went from Hero and Leader to Traitor and Scum. What was it that lead to this sad event. Could it be the sight of other junior officers making rank over him, or the problems he was having with other people of note, or could it even have been because of a woman? In American culture, he is the most we known traitor.
In that, he is referring to America 's secrets and sharing them with Britain. Before being caught in this misconduct, Arnold was successfully able to help the British army, giving them advantages the Americans did not
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer who is well known for “discovering” North America. In reality Christopher was trying to get to China and thought he was in Japan all 4 times he went to North America. He was actually in what is now the Bahamas and Cuba. And really Christopher didn't even discover America. The Native Americans beat Columbus by thousands of years.
Benedict Arnold’s name has become infamous for his treacherous acts regarding the fort at West Point, which he was in command of, and his very name has even become a synonym for either treason or betrayal. However, Arnold was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and, for a time, was a distinguished war hero who simply became disgruntled with the Continental Congress, largely stemming from his being passed over for promotion. However, his general attitude toward life resulted in him deciding to betray his soldiers and the republic he had sworn allegiance to, a truly unforgettable act. As Arnold was unable to believe in a higher purpose than himself, and even quickly became disenfranchised with the British following his defection, he
Nathaniel Bacon is one of the few rebellious people whose name has been taught from school to school in America. “Why is that?” , you may ask, “Why him? Why is his rebellion significant in American history?”. Bacon’s rebellion used to be seen as the start of the American Revolution, but now, modern historians have uncovered the truth of the Virginian Rebellion of 1676.
On January 14, 1741 Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut. His father struggled financially, so as a kid Benedict was pulled out of school. Instead of school, he was an apprentice at his uncle 's apothecary shop. Arnold enlisted in the militia in 1757 and traveled upstate to New York to fight in the French and Indian War. Initially, he was working as a pharmacist and bookseller.
He overcame them by displaying courage, leadership and dedication to his cause, and by inspiring others to do the same. His tactical knowledge and strategic insights helped the regiment to achieve crucial victories that ultimately led to the Union’s triumph over the
The winter of 1777-78 was terribly cold, bitter, and harsh. These conditions made things very difficult for General Washington’s military unit. The unit’s morale and physical strengths were severely tested throughout this challenging and historical time. On December 19, 1777, General George Washington, the Commander of the U.S. Continental Army led the troops to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania for a few different reasons.
Where the British lost men to the ratio 2:1 to the colonists. The second battle, the Battle of Bemis Heights, on October 7th, 1777 is named Victory NY now is where the Saratoga Monument is placed and memorializes that day. The colonists winning the Battles of Saratoga caused British general Burgoyne to return to England and never give another command. This is why the Battles of Saratoga are considered the major turning point in the American Revolution. Others might say the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the first battle, where the British attempted to seize Patriot arms is the turning point.
I chose the book becase the cover looked amazing and I like history. The only thing I knew about this topic was that Benedict Arnold was a traitor, we didn 't really learn much about him in my classes. The book is divided into chapters by dates and events. Examples: Battles, Court events, etc. Sycophant - a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage.