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A paper about benedict arnold
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Benedict Arnold was an American hero. He might have even been the best general the United States had. But during a bleak moment of envy, hurt and distrust, an admirable leader turned into a monster that could not be turned back. When he was at his lowest, he decided to surrender West Point, a fort that was essential to the Americans during the Revolution, over to the British. He did not succeed, but he still managed to get away before he was caught. Arnold’s name was now to be forever associated with treachery and dishonesty (Creighton). But has anyone stopped to think why Benedict Arnold strayed onto the path of betrayal? What led him to be disloyal to a country he had fought with since the French and Indian War? No one retaliates to an action without an action to retaliate to. Although Benedict Arnold is known as America’s most famous traitor, his acts of treason can surely be justified.
First of all, Benedict Arnold did plenty for the Revolution but was never truly thanked or paid for his services. He had suffered a leg wound in an assault on Quebec, was reinjured at the Battle of Saratoga and left crippled forever but never received any medal of honor (Who Served Here?). He gave his own money and time to train his forces so that they could be the best in the army (Creighton), but he was never shown any gratitude. He also happened to be a very good general. He always fought his hardest and thought quickly (Dell 51-53). For example, at Lake Champlain, he burned the American fleets so that the British could not steal them and use them (Dell 55). To most, it seemed like Arnold was out of his mind, but it was really just him planning ahead. Also, he was always optimistic and encouraging his troops in severe conditions, especially...
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... his way. Benedict Arnold is known as America’s biggest traitor, but is it not partially the United States’ fault that he turned sour?
Works Cited
"Benedict Arnold." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 309-310. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Creighton, Linda L. "Benedict Arnold: A Traitor, but Once a Patriot." US News. US News & World Report, 27 June 2008. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. .
Dell, Pamela. Benedict Arnold: From Patriot to Traitor. Minneapolis: Compass Point, 2005. Print.
Martin, James Kirby. "Arnold, Benedict." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.
"Who Served Here?" US History. Independence Hall Association, 2011. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. .
The Culper Spies were instrumental in providing Washington with excellent intelligence; yet the most important piece of information may have been the discovery of Benedict Arnold’s plot to give West Point to the British. Unfortunately, it is uncertain whether the spy ring actually played a significant part in the capture of Arnold’s co-conspirator, John Andre, and thus saving West Point from the British. This uncertainty is either due to a lack of ...
Bacon’s rebellion was a messy but important experiment in expressing the people’s will under the colonial rule of England. History is still developing its interpretation of its causes and effects, but there is no doubt that without Bacon’s actions America’s history might be different today. His actions pointed to a general desire for the kind of self-determination that democracy provides, even if it didn’t quite produce it like the American Revolution did.
Known for his betrayl against the Continental Army, Benedict Arnold is most remembered for becoming a turncoat during the Revolutionary War. But, before switiching sides Benedict was a strong military leader and an excellent soldier. And, on both sides of the war, Benedict had great victories. Through his patriotic and traitorous acts, Benedict Arnold helped shape the course of the American Revolution.
He suffered from stage fright and often “blushed and faltered”, (18) even at his inauguration as President, “he trembled and several times could scarce make out to read his speech” (18) This weakness of his is often glossed over as it doesn’t seem to fit in with his image as the towering, imposing “founding father”. Yet today, it is essential for a President to be able to deliver impressive and clear speeches to the whole country. Finally there are some criticisms that he was not as effective General as is often believed. Thomas Paine claimed that he was a bad general whose strategy consisted of “doing nothing” (19). Although Paine had a personal agenda in condemning George Washington as he resented not being appointed Postmaster-General, and then later by not being rescued from French persecution by the government, it is true that George Washington did lose more battles than he won (20) and often did seem to do nothing for long periods of time. There is also the issue of his harsh treatment towards his own soldiers, any who were caught deserting or plundering were “flogged” (21) and he even a “Gallows near forty feet high erected” to terrify the rest into obedience.
The American Revolution was a time when colonial peoples were forced to develop a Patriot identity separate from that of the British. The evolution of espionage provides a paradigm case to support the shift in identity. The role of espionage is really only seen through the eyes of the British and the Patriots, the loyalists in the colonies are absent from the narrative. This paper argues that the use of espionage during the American revolution and the consequences that it brought developed a distinct American identity by analyzing the societal benefit it played in the colonies (the motivation that drove American’s to spy), the exclusion of members with loyalist sympathies found by John Honeyman and Enoch Crosby and its reputation within the colonial side.
One of the most notorious names in history is Benedict Arnold, an American Revolutionary War leader, who is known for being the “traitor to his country.” Yet, without his courageous and heroic deeds in the fight against the British, the Americans may have not gained freedom. In Saratoga, New York, a monument is dedicated to Arnold’s contribution to the victory of the Battle of Saratoga; however, there is no name on the monument. Biographer James Kirby Martin once said, “The tragedy of Benedict Arnold is that his incredible acts … have been washed away and basically forgotten.” Although Benedict Arnold was once a respected and admirable leader of the Americans, he was branded as a selfish and unethical traitor after the Revolutionary War and his efforts towards the success of the Americans were often overlooked or forgotten.
He lead an attack at Fort Ticonderoga when he discovered there were cannons there. Simultaneously he went to George Washington with a plan to capture Quebec. The Plan had failed and had enough time to retreat. At the same time, he built a navy at Lake Champlain, But were found and bombarded by the British for a long time. They barely had enough time to escape. Finally, General Burgoyne launched attack after attack at Arnold and Gates. Gates kept falling back while Arnold wanted to launch an attack. Gates took away Arnold's troops, but when the time came Benedict jumped onto his horse and went into battle. Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga, and the Americans had won. Soon, The Congress had not paid Benedict which made him betray the Colonists and join the British. When the British first heard a major general was joining them they were shocked, While Benedict Arnold was with the British he still supported the Colonists. Like he pretended to build defence but actually weakened it by sending soldiers to get wood.
Benedict Arnold, a name known throughout America as a name that means 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.
Ridolfi, Roberto. The Life of Niccolò Machiavelli. Trans. Cecil Grayson. 1954. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963. Print.
...hermore, going to war was an act of cowardice. He had to put aside his morals and principles and fight a war he did not believe in.
Arguably one of the greatest generals in American history Douglas MacArthur was born to be in the military, his father Arthur MacArthur was a great soldier who honorably in the Army and it MacArthur went to West Point to follow in his father's footsteps. MacArthur served for rising through the ranks at a rapid pace, he became most well known for his leadership during the second world war but after that he led his troops on the battlefields of Korea in his seventies. Although MacArthur proved to be a brilliant general, his aggressive decisions towards the end of the Korean War led to his honorable removal as general of the United Nations Army and his heroic actions and tales to be cemented permanently in American History.
Contributors, New World Encyclopedia. “Cesare Borgia.” Cesare Borgia - New World Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia, 24 Jan. 2017, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Cesare_Borgia.
Thomas Jefferson was also a key leader. He wrote the Declaration of Independence and truly made a statement when he said there acts were the natural right of humans. That it was their right to fight the unjust powers of government that had become corrupt. The declaration was printed everywhere, it was succinct and persuasive. It clearly labelled the want of the nation and declared their freedom. It was a bold move when it was clear to see that England was with a doubt the stronger power. I also highly admire John Hancock for his bravado in signing the declaration so big that the king would be able read it without his glasses. George Washington is, of course, the face of our nation. He did a lot of great in leading the country and keeping our spirits up throughout the war. Though I give him the most credit for giving our country something it truly needed, something after the war. He taught us to move on. After years of service in the military, and being president for 8 years he could have kept running, he could have held office until his death, but he didn 't. He stepped down and taught the nation to move on. He would allow the nation to accept change and allow for the government system to truly work. His stepping down would pave the way for every president to do so, to not allow a tyrant to hold the position and corrupt the nation. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas
In our recent viewing of the "The Defector", an episode in the saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation, we encountered a traitor. A traitor is one who has knowledge or power of information and betrays the cause, another, or trust; to commit an act of treason. Romulan Admiral Jarok is a traitor in the episode. Admiral Jarok is a traitor because he divulged top secret Romulan military information to the enemy; The Federation. Disclosure of restricted military information qualifies Admiral Jarok as a traitor. Admiral Jarok sought asylum from the Federation in exchange for confidential Romulan military information and he did not uphold his duties as an admiral. Treason and betrayal should be sufficient evidence to assume that a traitor is among us. Just as Admiral Jarok is a traitor among the Romulans. To begin with, Admiral Jarok is a traitor in that he sought asylum from the Federation in exchange for confidential military information. Captain Picard and his crew beam up a Romulan seeking asylum in to the Enterprise. This Romulan declares himself as, "Sub-lieutenant Setal, who claims to be a logistics clerk who has discovered a plot for a new Romaulan offensive" (Tong 1995). Clearly stated are the facts that Jarok has information to give the Federation on the enemy; the Romulans. Setal (A.K.A. Jarok) continues to state that the Romulans have constructed a base in the Neutral Zone on the Planet Nelvana III. He also states that, "there are twenty-one Warbirds in orbit around her, just waiting to make a first strike" (Tong 1995). He also suggest that the Federation strike first and that the Romulans have the same intentions and are just seeking the perfect moment. Admiral Jarok attempts to validate his convictions by speaking of the, "reports, fee receipts, and work orders for the construction of the military base" (Smith 1/30/96), he had seen. Jarok insist that the Federation make a move for future lives are at stake. One of the future lives that is reliant on the Federation making an attack is that of Jarok's own daughter. In an attempt to move Captain Picard's emotions, Jarok tells Picard of his true motives to stop war; his daughter. Fleeing with military secrets Admiral Jarok claimed he had intentions of preventing war so that his young daughter might have a future. Captain Picard, weary of Jarok (Setal), demands proof of his convictions for he too believes that Jarok is a traitor.
Ullmann, Walter. A Short History of the Papacy in the Middle Ages. 2nd ed. New York City, NY: Routledge, 2003.