Benedict Arnold Traitor

Did you know the name “Benedict Arnold” is often used as a synonym for the word “traitor” ? Benedict Arnold was not the kindest or most honest person when he was alive but he was once a great american hero. Many believe that he was just a cold hearted traitor who betrayed america for money and greed . Maybe that is true but you can not make up assumptions about him before you know anything really about him. In my project I learned many things that surprised me and also changed my perspective on who Benedict Arnold was. After reading my research project maybe you will come to a different view of him as well and if not maybe now you will have evidence as to why you feel that way.

Youth and Pre-Revolutionary Experiences

Benedict Arnold was born

on January fourteenth seventeen forty one in Norwich Connecticut. His father was a successful business man because of this he could afford to send Arnold to a private school in Canterbury when he turned ten years old. Benedict had the idea that he would eventually graduate and attend Yale , sadly after the death of three of his siblings because of yellow fever his father took up drinking and lost most of his money . When his father could no longer afford to send him to private school Arnold had to drop out. Soon after his mother’s health declined and she eventually passed away now it was just Benedict his only sibling still alive Hannah and greatly depressed father. Before his mother passed she set up a apprenticeship with the Lathrop brothers who Benedict looked up to and learned from , they mentored him for seven years. Benedict eventually had to take care of his family alone full time . He worked hard and soon became a successful business man and a pharmacist and bookseller in New Haven Connecticut. A fun fact about Benedict Arnold’s family is that he was a descendent of John Lathrop through his grandmother who was an ancestor of at least six U.S presidents.
Revolutionary War Experiences
Benedict Arnold grew to not like Great Britain because he did not agree with the Stamp Act because it interfered with his business.

This pushed him to join the sons of liberty to fight for the liberties he felt were being taken away from him. Benedict did not have many allies on the patriot side because of his short temper but his wife Peggy Shippen or also known as Margaret Shippen who was from a loyalist family in Philadelphia was a great influence on Benedict Arnold. Benedict Arnold believed Americans should fight back for there liberties as expressed in his quote “ good God , are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their liberties , or are they all turned philosophers , that they don't take immediate vengeance on such miscreants” this is directed toward the British when he says miscreants. When he first began in the continental army he was the colonel and he led an attack on Quebec city. After this he was promoted to brigadier general. Soon after George Washington had him promoted again to major general because he considered Benedict one of his better generals. When he eventually changed sides he became a general for the British. Before that he became a American hero when he bravely attacked the British at the Battle of Saratoga . During the war Benedict made many enemies because he was often accused of being greedy and using his power for selfish reasons. He even came before a military court at one point because of these accusations. So you can imagine he

didn't have many friends and his only companion was his wife . Benedict Arnold believed in a man standing up for himself and what is his including his liberties. He also valued his family he displayed this by taking care of his father and sister and also with his close relationship with his mother. He was a brave man this is clear in the way he took the British head on knowing he was at a great disadvantage. He was not a very trustworthy person as showed by how he lied to and betrayed the Americans. He was at a physical disadvantage with his wounded leg from his attack on Quebec city.
His Betrayal
In 1779 Benedict Arnold started to sell information regarding location of supplies , troops movement, and number of soldiers to the British chief spy Major Andre. In 1780 Arnold agreed to surrender the fort at West Point for 20,000 pounds. This was never done because a few days after they agreed on this Major Andre was captured. When Arnold found out about Andre’s capture he escaped to the British. He then became a British general and led attacks against the continental army at Richmond and New London. After George Washington learned about what Arnold did he sent John Champe to befriend then capture Arnold. But right when Champe was going to strike Benedict was ordered to leave town so Champe had no choice but to pretend to be a red coat for several moths before he finally was able to sneak back to the continental army.
Post-Revolutionary Experiences And Death
After the war ended Benedict moved to England where he became a merchant trading with the West Indies. Benedict and his wife Peggy Shippen had seven sons including Benedict Arnold the fifth and one daughter Sophia Arnold. Benedict Arnold died from edema on June fourteenth the year eighteen zero one at the age 60. He was buried in a unmarked mass grave. And thats how the sun set on a great hero and traitor .

Bibliography Page
Sources
Benedict Arnold: Battlefield Hero or Selfish Traitor ?
Author: Jessica S. Gunderson
Publisher: Fact Finders
Date Published: 1/ 7 / 13
Pages Used: 4 , 6
2. Benedict Arnold , Revolutionary Hero : An American Warrior Reconsidered
Author: Martin James Kirby
Publisher: New York University Press
Date Published: 1 / 8 / 2000
Pages Used: 11 , 33
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold#Early_life
4. NBC New York - Benedict Arnold : American Hero And Traitor
5. US News - Benedict Arnold : A Traitor , But Once A Patriot
6. http://www.biography.com/people/benedict-arnold-9189320#synopsis
7. http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/benedict_arnold.php
8. http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-benedict-arnold