Famous Traitor: Benedict Arnold
Introduction
“Let me die in this old uniform in which i fought my battles for freedom, may god forgive me for ever having put on another.” Famous quote from Benedict Arnold which made an impact on all. Benedict Arnold was a very famous traitor and also the first traitor in America. Today you will learn all about Benedict Arnold, from his early life to his role in the revolution to his impact on history.
Chapter #1 Growing Up. Did Benedict Arnold Grow Up like nowadays?
The answer to that would be no. Benedict Arnold grew up in the colonial times. Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, CT on January 14, 1741 (When there was no technology). (Connecticut was a British colony and the people living there had to follow British laws even though they were in a new, different land). Benedict Arnold was the sixth Benedict Arnold. He was raised normally but his parents were scared about him, because his older brother, Benedict Arnold the fifth, had died of a fever at ten months old. They tried their best to keep him alive and they achieved that goal. But he went on living as a patriot. This historian thinks that it must have been hard on Benedict growing up thinking about his dead brother. When he was older he became an Apothecary. He also owned a bookstore. This historian wonders that maybe around that time everything went crazy. Then soon, around that time the British colonist, including Benedict, began speaking out against the british rule. They had thought of themselves as an independent. They didn't want to follow the British laws any longer. Right there is where the war for american independence called the Revolutionary War started. Right then and there is where Benedict finally became a man.
Chapter #2 What was Benedict Arnold’s Role in the Revolution? What did He do in the Revolutionary war?
When the war started Benedict Arnold became a Captain in the militia. Benedict Arnold had many roles in the wars. Benedict Arnold grew up as a Patriot, he then became an American Revolutionary General when he was older. While he was a General, George Washington asked him to go to Quebec, Canada and lead an attack against the British and so he did. Benedict did as he was told and stayed in Canada for an extra year (he and his troops were the last ones to leave). When he was a General he was passed over many times for a promotion, and five Brigadier Generals of junior rank got promoted to major generalships over his head. He felt mistreated and angry, but he then soon got promoted. He was still mad that they got promoted first...so he left the American side and joined the British side. When he joined the British side he ran to London to join them. This writer thinks that Benedict did and did not make a good choice on switching to the British side. This writer thinks that he made a good decision switching because he would not feel mistreated anymore but when he switched the whole entire America hated him.
Chapter #3 How Benedict Arnold is Viewed Today. What Was His Impact On History?
Since he switched sides he then became one of America's most famous traitors (he is America's first traitor). Some people today talk about him in phrases such as, “don't be a Benedict Arnold” or “you're being a Benedict Arnold” or even “Yeah, she's definitely a Benedict Arnold”. Even though he was a bad traitor people still talk about him to this very day. Researchers realize that in a way doing something bad could affect your fame later in life.
Conclusion
Benedict lived a long life (1741-1801) he had died alone in London, England in 1801. He lived until he was 60. Benedict Arnold was a brave soldier but he betrayed his country. Benedict Arnold was a traitor, but he's most famous for it, so he is important in history. Experts wonder what would’ve happened if Benedict Arnold stayed on the American side, would he have become famous? Experts also wonder if his friends from the American side betrayed him because he was a traitor.
(FUN) FACTS
- Benedict Arnold's nickname is “Dark Eagle”
- Benedict Arnold died alone in London but shortly after his wife died and they were buried together.
- Benedict Arnold was hated in America and shunned in Britain.
- When he was asked to go to Canada his group (of men) got so hungry they boiled Benedict's leather shoe for food.
- While he was in battle his horse fell on him and everyone told him to give up, but he didn't.
- He fought for the French and Indian War when he was only a teenager.
- Benedict is also a name of an egg (Benedict Arnold shares a name with an egg).
- After his treason, George Washington declared that the name Benedict Arnold would never be spoken again
Benedict Arnold and his family
-Patriot- People in the American Colonies who wanted the Colonies to break away from
Great Britain
-Traitor- A person who betrays a friend, country, etc
-Generalships- the skill or practice of exercising military command
-Revolutionary- involving or causing a complete or dramatic change
-Militia- A military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency
-Brigadier- A rank officer in the British army, above Colonel and below Major General-Colonel- An army officer of an high rank, below Brigadier
-General- A commander of an army, or an army officer of a very high rank
-Promoted- To move up to a higher rank or to go up to something higher than before
-Treason- The crime of betraying one’s country or someone
-Declared- Openly or formally asserted or announced something
-Apothecary- Someone who prepared and sold medicine
-Mistreated- To treat a person or animal badly or unfairly
