Benedict Arnold
by: Hailey Waldon
Thesis Statement
Benedict Arnold is known as a traitor to the U.S. because he told the British their plan to win the war.
Joining the Revolution
- Arnold was promoted general of the army on May 2, 1777.
- He later found himself in debt as the war progressed.
- He desperately needed money so he began to tell the British the American troops' movements in exchange for money.
- British spy Major John Andre worked with Arnold and was eventually captured and hanged.
- Benedict Arnold spent the rest of the war fighting on the British side against his own men.
- He resigned from the army in July 1777.
Who was involved?
- When Arnold joined the army he wasn't praised for his outstanding doings which made him frustrated, which led to betrayal.
- He began secret negotiations in 1779 with the British in return for money and a command in the British army.
- Arnold's second wife, Peggy (Shippen) Arnold, had connections with the British side.
- British spy Major John Andre was a spy working with Arnold.
- His financial troubles could even start from when he was in his teen years and was forced to quit school and work because his family's business failed.
What are challenges Arnold faced?
- When he was a child his mother and father past away.
- His first wife, Margaret, died before he returned home from the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
- He was frequently accused of corruption.
- He made several enemies while in the army.
- The biggest thing he faced was being known as a traitor to the U.S.
- In 1801, his health started to decline and eventually died on June 14, 1801 of Edema.
Why was he considered a traitor?
- He betrayed the U.S. Army during the revolution doing an unforgivable thing.
- He told the British the movements of the U.S. army.
- He was not treated fairly, but instead of being hot tempered he should've told someone he was being treated poorly.
- He had enough potential to be a hero but he let his debt get the best of him.
Interesting Facts
- He joined the sons of liberty once the British imposed the Stamp Act.
- He was financially successful as a trader and accused of smuggling.
- He fought in the French and Indian war.
- Arnold is considered one of the biggest traitors in the history of the U.S.
- The name "Benedict Arnold" is often used as a synonym for "traitor."
- His name is omitted from all U.S. statues and monuments.
- Arnold would have been captured with his partner, John Andre, but he fled to the British side before he could be caught and hanged.
Sources
Lutz, Norma Jean. Benedict Arnold: Traitor to the Cause. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2000. Print.
Hossell, Karen Price. Benedict Arnold. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2004. Print.
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"How Did Benedict Arnold Die." Historyrocket. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
US News. U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Benedict Arnold." Benedict Arnold. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
"World Biography." Benedict Arnold Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
"Benedict Arnold." Biography for Kids:. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.