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What side was Benedict Arnold on?
Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. 3 January 1740] – June 14, 1801) was an American military officer who served during the Revolutionary War. He fought with distinction for the American Continental Army and rose to the rank of major general before defecting to the British side of the conflict in 1780.
What did Benedict Arnold do to betray the Patriots?
While Arnold's betrayal was clear—he offered the British seizure of the military fortress at West Point, NY, in exchange for 10,000 pounds and a British military commission—what led up to that moment of betrayal is more complicated and less political than is often taught.
How did Benedict Arnold help in the war?
During the war, Benedict Arnold proved himself a brave and skillful leader, helping Ethan Allen's troops capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 and then participating in the unsuccessful attack on British Quebec later that year, which earned him a promotion to brigadier general.
Who is the biggest traitor in history?
The Ten Worst Traitors in HistoryJudas Iscariot. No name conjures images of treachery and betrayal like that of Judas Iscariot. ... Ephialtes of Trachis. ... Benedict Arnold. ... Vidkun Quisling. ... Wang Jingwei. ... Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus. ... Mir Jafar. ... Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames.More items...•
Who is the biggest traitor in US history?
Benedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold, despite the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices he made on behalf of American independence, is probably known best for being a traitor.
Why was Benedict Arnold a hero?
Arnold, the intense and contentious general who led American rebels to victory in the crucial Battles of Saratoga in 1777, is better remembered as the nation's first important traitor. For all his wartime glory, Arnold's legacy is barely mentioned at the Saratoga National Historical Park.
Who said give me liberty or give me death?
Patrick HenryOn March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry signaled the coming revolution when he spoke at a Virginia convention and allegedly implored: “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
What are 3 important facts about Benedict Arnold?
9 Things You May Not Know About Benedict ArnoldArnold was a successful merchant and smuggler. ... He fought in multiple duels. ... Arnold was an early hero of the American Revolution. ... He built one of the first American naval fleets. ... 5 of the Most Influential Early Video Games.7 Famously Haunted Places Around the US.More items...•
Who was a traitor in the American Revolution?
Benedict Arnold, the American general during the Revolutionary War who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word “traitor,” was born on January 14, 1741.
When was Benedict Arnold hanged?
June 14, 1801Benedict Arnold / Date of death
Why was Benedict Arnold a loyalist?
In my opinion, he became a loyalist, because he was determined to succeed and longed for recognition. Since the Americans did not recognize his victories during the Revolution, it seems as though he did not leave on betrayal but had no choice but to leave. People seem to emphasize on his betrayal and seem to have forgotten what victories he made during the American Revolution for both the British and the Americans. Benedict Arnold should be remembered as the military hero, who did not betray the country but entered the Loyalists side because of the way the Congress mistreated him.
What are the qualities of Benedict Arnold?
His courage, brazenness and hunger for glory are what represent Arnold the most. He can be seen as a hero from both the Patriot and the Loyalist perspectives. Benedict Arnold was considered a military genius; he was able to bring his troops from near defeat to victory. He was highly regarded not only by his cronies but also was highly respected by his adversaries. Arnold was probably the only man to be respected by both the British and the Americans prior to 1779. One believe that Benedict was ne of the best Generals that had served during the Revolution and that he was a hero to both side of the war.
Why did the loyalists want to pursue peaceful forms of rotest?
Loyalists wanted to pursue peaceful forms of rotest because they believed that violence would give rise to mob rule or tyranny. They also believed that independence would mean the loss of economic benefits derived from membership in the British mercantile system. About hundred thousand Loyalists left the country, including William Franklin, the son of Benjamin, and John Singleton Copley, the greatest American painter of the period. Most of them moved to Canada and some eventually returned.
What was Arnold's rank in the British army?
The British rewarded him with six thousand pounds and also gave him the rank of brigadier general. Arnold served the King with the same enthusiasm and skills he had shown in the Patriot cause. As a brigadier general in the British army, Arnold was in charge of the raids in Virginia along the James River to Richmond and, later, to Petersburg.
What would happen if a patriot was not a patriot?
If he was not a true patriot he would not have betrayed the country to satisfy his wants. To him, money was far more than financial security, but a crucial ingredient of self-respect. One notice a change in his attitude towards the American people when he thinks that he was trumped by “a set of unprincipled, malicious scoundrels who have prostituted their honor and truth for the purpose of gratifying their private resentment against an innocent person. ” (Clare Brandt, page 170) and when he said “the villainous attacks made on my character by the President and Council of this state… Clare Brandt, page 173).
Was Arnold a loyalist?
They also admired him for his military skills and for the services he did for the British side. Yet, people mention his name with disgrace. The fact whether Arnold was a true loyalist or not is one that has een argued for many years. However, one believe that Arnold was a true loyalist.
What was Benedict Arnold's role in the American Revolution?
Benedict Arnold was born into a well-respected family on January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. He was one of the bravest American generals at the start of the American Revolution. He used his ruthlessness and cunningness to capture British forts one after another and kept the British army out of strategic locations. After twice wounding his leg for America and nearly losing it permanently, Arnold expected more from Congress and his companions only to be left with a feeling of betrayal and abandonment. He reached out to the British and bartered his command point in favor of money and higher posts in the British Army. He would later defect to the Loyalist Army and attack his own Patriot forces with the same ruthlessness and power. He tried to settle in England and Canada later, but he finally died in London as a man without a country.
Why did Arnold become a patriot?
Though successful in his business career, he was bothered by the oppressive British taxes and stringent policies, Arnold soon decided to devote himself for the Patriot cause of resisting British tyranny by leading the local chapter of the Sons of Liberty.
What was Arnold's role in the Boston Massacre?
When war began in Lexington and Concord in the spring of 1775, Arnold was still a young apothecary and minor merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. He was also a militia captain and Patriot. After the Boston Massacre, eager to support the American rebellion, Arnold first planned to march to Boston. On the way Arnold wanted to attack Fort Ticonderoga first and grab its cannons. He persuaded the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to accept his plans and make him a colonel. Upon appointment Arnold proved his skills and won the battle without bloodshed. The Patriots marched into the fort with no enemies and captured valuable ammunition. Following the bloodless victory, he vaulted up into the military ranks of Washington as Commander. Though the victory was achieved, Arnold’s inflated expense claims made the legislators suspicious later.
Why did Benedict Arnold fail?
In the end, Benedict Arnold’s failure lay in his disenchantment with the failed American cause in his opinion and the decline in republican virtue. His allegiance to the British had more to do with personal gain than with the principles of British. Arnold betrayed West Point and the entire American cause just to secure his own wealth. Hated in America, Arnold was treated with the same coldness and even contempt in Britain. He died in 1801 having lived as a man without a country.
Why did Benedict Arnold want more money?
He was angry about the court-martial and also wanted more money because he was in debt. The British promised Benedict Arnold a lot of money to turn into a British spy and also promised to make him a British officer though they never fully trusted him.
Why was Benedict Arnold appointed to the Army?
Washington appointed Benedict Arnold as military commander of Philadelphia after the evacuation by the British army in June 1778. He was deemed unfit for field commission due to his injuries. He crossed with Congress again and again on behalf of veterans and families. He slowly started a grudge against the architects of the Revolution.
What was Arnold's role in the French and Indian War?
He served as an apprentice at an apothecary and at the age of fifteen joined the Connecticut militia during the French and Indian War of 1754-1763. The humiliating defeat of the British by the French and the way Indians massacred hundreds of British men, women and children for scalps, arms, and booty left a lasting impression on Arnold and a life-long hatred for the French which influenced his later actions in life.
Who encouraged Arnold's treason?
Arnold’s wife encouraged his treason. Arnold was also deeply in debt and newly married to an ambitious woman. His wife, Peggy, was the daughter of a prominent Philadelphia family with loyalist leanings that had fared better under the British.
Why did Peggy steer Arnold to the British?
Peggy was accustomed to a certain level of living and some historians believe that Peggy steered Arnold to the British in order to maintain that lifestyle. Becoming a traitor to his country could fetch him a handsome payment from the British.
What did Reed do to Arnold?
He took a personal dislike to Arnold and, in 1779, attempted to prosecute him on a series of treason charges ranging from buying illegal goods to preferring the company of British loyalists. In the build-up of his case, Reed was known to spread rumors about Arnold without offering proof of his allegations.
Did the Revolutionary War general have self esteem issues?
Historians offer up many explanations, including that the Revolutionary War general may have had some self-esteem issues as a child and young man .
Was Benedict Arnold a traitor?
Benedict Arnold was once a patriotic war hero valued by George Washington and admired by his men. But now his name is synonymous with traitor.
