Benedict Arnold: A True Hero

So who is Benedict Arnold? A patriot? A traitor? We need to stop classifying Benedict as a traitor and start classifying him as a man who made mistakes. But at the end of the day his patriotism amounts to more than his

Benedict Arnold, in the beginning, was a lucrative merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. Arnold served in the Continental Army, working with soldiers like Ethan Allan, to achieve the capitulation of Fort Ticonderoga (1775). In 1776, he led one of two columns that invaded Quebec; and in the same year, October of 1776, Arnold, as a Brigadier General, stopped Guy Carleton at the Battle of Valcour Island. Thus, as a major general, he was and important part of the American victory at Saratoga. After that climatic point, his career began to terribly deteriorate. After Arnold's second marriage, his debt grew; He was inequitably belittled by political adversaries, and felt that he was unappreciated by his fellow Americans. Peradventure for these

Benedict Arnold is mostly known for being a traitor. He was born January 14, 1741. How he became involved in the American Revolution, how he fought for America, and why he betrayed America for Britain are some of his accomplishments. He started his life as a loyal American. Later he became one of the most infamous traitors in history.

Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. His mother was born into a rich family, while his father had to work his way up to her status. At a young age, (the exact date is unknown) he quit school to become an apothecary apprentice and earn more money for his mother, father, and ten other siblings. Arnold served in the military during the French and Indian war before the revolution. He was married to Margaret Mansfield in 1767, and they had three children before she died of sickness. In 1779, he married Peggy Shippen, and they had five more children. He was one out of the two children in his family to survive into adulthood. He betrayed America in the war, killing several Americans. He was America’s first big traitor.

Major General Benedict Arnold is without a shadow of a doubt the most intriguing and infamous general in American History, perhaps remembered by most as the infamous American traitor. His bravery, superior tactical skills, greed, need for self-preservation, lust, and jealousy all contributed to him being considered by various sources to be the most heroic and villainous character in all of American History.

Benedict Arnold was a notorious traitor. He was an American general during the Revolutionary War. He was a traitor because he attacked his own country and was disloyal. He defined who a traitor is. However, Louis Riel was not what Benedict Arnold was. When the Canadian government was trying to abate Metis rights, Louis Riel voluntarily coped with anguish to protect them. He was a hero because of all the pain that he tolerated for a noble cause of preserving Metis rights that benefited the greater good of Canada. Louis Riel exemplified what a “hero” is.

“’Money I this man’s god and to get enough of it he would sacrifice his country,’” a member of the Green Mountain Boys proclaimed (Aaseng 21). This comment is no coincidence considering Arnold betrayed the American Colonies during the American Revolution. Benedict Arnold is one of the most well-known traitors in American history. However, before he sided with the enemy, Arnold was one of the greatest generals in the Revolution. Many may say the British may have won the war without the key role Arnold played during the Revolution (Aaseng 13). There were many actions that may have made Arnold a true hero, however Arnold betrayed his country and there are many theories on his motivation for his betrayal.

Do you know who Benedict, Arnold is? If you don’t that is a stunning result because Benedict is part of our military and countries history. He is known an American traitor due to the fact that he went to support the French in their fight with America after fighting with the French for so long. Benedict had turned intelligence about the American fortress that controlled the Hudson River. He had released valuable information about the fort for it would be able to be over run because, who, who had control of that fortress had control of the Hudson River and who, who had control of the Hudson River controlled The Revolutionary War.

Benedict Arnold was a traitor since it was his own idea to sell information to the British in exchange for money. Arnold wasn’t approached by the British since they thought he would be a good spy, he approached them because he wanted to be the spy they needed. Joseph Stanbury, who acted as Arnold’s messenger, told the British intelligence officers that Arnold told him “under a solemn obligation of secrecy, his intention of offering services to the commander-in-chief of the British forces” (Sheinkin 231). Arnold offered his services to the British commander instead of being asked for them. He reached out on his own will to betray his country in exchange for a higher social rank and money.

Most espionage cases involve two things: a foreign connection and an insider threat. Many factors lead to a trusted individual having no alternative than betraying his or her own country. John Andre was the foreign connection in this instance, and Benedict Arnold being the insider threat that had no alternative but to commit treason and become the United States most famous traitor. Benedict Arnold had a laundry list of indicators that made him an attractive target to the likes of the British. Arnold was the second most important General in the American Army, and that type of person should get the praise they deserve, and Arnold did not receive that praise. Arnold had numerous battle victories, including Saratoga, possibly his most famous, but still felt like the Americans did not appreciate his value. On top of that, Arnold was not being paid for his efforts as a General in the Continental Army. Many spies and traitors in the history of the United States generally have financial troubles compounded among other indicators. When someone feels they are having financial troubles they look for another way to make a source of income and being a spy or traitor seems to be a method to accomplish that goal. If Benedict Arnold had been treated fairly and received proper compensation, both monetarily and respectfully, Andre never would have had the insider threat needed to accomplish his mission.

Benedict Arnold is a name known throughout America as a name that directly relates to a 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.

Desiring recognition and the feeling of pride brings a fullness in life so if you were to not being given the proper recognition, if you were utterly ignored, if you were tossed aside and others received credit for your very own work, is if you were faced to choose between taking the high road and becoming a better human being or would you act out in vengeance? Benedict Arnold’s historical acclaim is often associated with the traitor activity, by examining the experiences with Arnold, Americans are able to appreciate his leadership prior to his betrayal; his character is really revealed through his past and all that he accomplished for his beloved country.

The definition of a hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. One of the most influential heroes in the United States is George Washington but that’s just what Americans think of him. The British, who were fighting against the United States in the Revolution don’t see George Washington as a hero because he won the war for the United States but lost that territory for England. A hero is only defined by the people they protect and serve. Likewise, after the fall of the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte swept in and seized power. At the young age of 30, he was already in charge of the First Counsel. By 35, he was the dictator of France. Through cunning military strategies and ambition, Napoleon climbed through the ranks of the French military. Napoleon at the time of his reign was seen in the French perspective as revolutionary and a savior. But, when the statistics are put into account, he wasted millions of dollars and lives for unsuccessful wars. He was seen as controlling and wasn’t even native to France. Napoleon can be considered a tyrant based off of the misery, death and grief he caused the French citizens during his reign.

Heros in stories are often invincible, if not juggernauts; Deus ex Machina makes sure of that. In real life, by contrast, has no author that can pen the hero in for an exemption of death. War though, in any case, works to the disadvantage of everyone, and doesn’t get that much accomplished. Most soldier’s hands are dirtied at some point, and most people are, to a greater or lesser extent, deal with the mire of the most uncouthly of endeavours. People who come back from war, still with the hope that their country, the world over, can change its ways, and quietly protests the belligerency of their leaders, are the true heros. Anyone who merely comes back from war, or doesn’t, can’t really be considered a hero, because the real enemy, is the need to have one. The two conditions to have when questioning the viability of the hero status, are:

Another idea of a hero was when Gandhi had stood up for his country; India. “Gandhi led nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women's rights, and build religious and ethnic amity” plus he had “spent a number of years in jail in both South Africa and India”. In other words Gandhi never gave up showing everyone how India should be independent. Gandhi had stood out his way by leading marches to declare independence. Gandhi had been admired for his bravery (when he was thrown in jail a few times), his confidence (he never showed any sign of weakness) and perseverance (he had never gave up).