Why is Benedict Arnold Considered An American Traitor?
Why is Benedict Arnold Considered A Traitor In American History?
When one thinks of Benedict Arnold, you can’t but help to think of him as a man who let ambition and greed distract him from what was generally important; independence. A once treasured American hero, but a man who is now put in the same category as Edward Snowden. How does this happen? How does a man go from a national hero to a national traitor?
Benedict Arnold fought for the Americans in the beginning of the American Revolutionary War: a well distinguished general who made an impact for Americans during his span. After his many sacrifices and accomplishments, he began to feel as though he deserved more. As though his contributions to the war had earned him higher standings. However, despite his successes on the battlefield, Arnold was passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress.
Him not being promoted was only one of various other reasons he defected to the British Army. Arnold was bitter at the fact that other officers were claiming credit for some of his accomplishments, he felt as though his personal honor had been attacked, and as well his accounts were investigated by Congress and it was found that he was indebted to Congress after spending much of his own money on the war. After the Battle of Saratoga, a frustrated Benedict Arnold threw in the towel on America and began to make secret negotiations with the British Army. Through his negotiations, Arnold received a commission as a brigadier general for the Brits. He was to lead British forces in raids on Virginia and Connecticut before the America victory at Yorktown, which ended the Revolution and also provide intelligence. Arnold provided them with some troop movement papers.
In July 1780, Arnold was awarded command of West Point. Arnold and the British had schemed for Arnold to surrender the fort to the British, however their plan and the troop movement papers were exposed when the message carrier, British Major John
When one thinks of Benedict Arnold, you can’t but help to think of him as a man who let ambition and greed distract him from what was generally important; independence. A once treasured American hero, but a man who is now put in the same category as Edward Snowden. How does this happen? How does a man go from a national hero to a national traitor?
Benedict Arnold fought for the Americans in the beginning of the American Revolutionary War: a well distinguished general who made an impact for Americans during his span. After his many sacrifices and accomplishments, he began to feel as though he deserved more. As though his contributions to the war had earned him higher standings. However, despite his successes on the battlefield, Arnold was passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress.
Him not being promoted was only one of various other reasons he defected to the British Army. Arnold was bitter at the fact that other officers were claiming credit for some of his accomplishments, he felt as though his personal honor had been attacked, and as well his accounts were investigated by Congress and it was found that he was indebted to Congress after spending much of his own money on the war. After the Battle of Saratoga, a frustrated Benedict Arnold threw in the towel on America and began to make secret negotiations with the British Army. Through his negotiations, Arnold received a commission as a brigadier general for the Brits. He was to lead British forces in raids on Virginia and Connecticut before the America victory at Yorktown, which ended the Revolution and also provide intelligence. Arnold provided them with some troop movement papers.
In July 1780, Arnold was awarded command of West Point. Arnold and the British had schemed for Arnold to surrender the fort to the British, however their plan and the troop movement papers were exposed when the message carrier, British Major John