Benedict Arnold-'American' Leader
Benedict Arnold might be the most famous American traitor- but that doesn't mean he isn't important! He helped us a lot when he wasn't working for the British- including capturing 100 cannons and gunpowder at the battle of Fort Ticonderoga in New York, with the help of Ethan Allen- another leader worth mentioning, but this page is about Arnold, is it not? Benedict started the war as a a captain in the Connecticut militia, and after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, his army advanced to help the siege of Boston. He also was put in the army that went on the expedition to attack the city of Quebec, and then traveled to Montreal, and served as a militia commander there until he was forced to flee when the British invaded. He defended Rhode Island alongside George Washington after Britain seized Newport in 1776. He assisted in many more battles, making friends and many enemies, but as early as 1778, he showed signs of being unhappy and pessimistic about the future of his country, which lead him to wanting to join the British, and going as far as attempting to surrendering West Point to them before he officially switched (his plan was found out, when the British officer John Andre was captured and told the plan they were plotting together).
Although a horrible traitor, he did help our country a lot, and I thought he was definitely worth mentioning, from how popular he is as a traitor to show that he did do some good. Even though I do not excuse his actions and still think he is a very horrible and disloyal person, I thought I'd share this.
Although a horrible traitor, he did help our country a lot, and I thought he was definitely worth mentioning, from how popular he is as a traitor to show that he did do some good. Even though I do not excuse his actions and still think he is a very horrible and disloyal person, I thought I'd share this.