What Made Benedict Arnold A Traitor ?
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Benedict Arnold was one of the greatest American generals in the history of America. He led the American forces to great success during the Revolutionary War against the British. However, today, Arnold is remembered not as a hero, but as the biggest traitor in the American history. There is a lot of documentary proof to corroborate the fact that he betrayed his own country during the war, but what made Benedict Arnold a traitor is a more important question.
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According to the historical accounts, he began to make deals with the enemy country and conspired against his own men by the year 1779. In 1780, he gave up West Point, the most important American military base, to the British in exchange of 25,000 pounds. He also accepted money to become a British spy and began to work against his own country. The documents that proved that Arnold was a traitor were seized from British army Major John Andre when he was arrested by the American troops. Arnold soon escaped to Britain and served them for the rest of his life.
But, there were several reasons that made Arnold turn against his own land. He was the one of the bravest American Generals and had achieved significant victories during the Revolutionary War. He sacrificed all his money and time to train the poorly equipped troops of America. However, his promotions were always kept off the list due to petty jealousies and politics. Moreover, instead of recognizing his efforts, he was court-marshaled by the American Government on the charges of having used the troops for his own personal reasons. This made him angry and he was determined to take his part of revenge.
According to another legend, as Arnold used his own money to train the troops, he was in heavy debts towards the end of the war. On receiving no help from his own country, he joined hands with the British for money. He received thousands of pounds to give up West Point and to become a British spy. He escaped to Britain and served them for the rest of his life. He passed away in London, England, at the age of 60, on 14 June 1801.
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