Was Benedict Arnold A Hero Or A Traitor

Imagine a young boy ambitious not to let down his family, like his father did, but to be a hero. A boy determined to not make the same mistakes as his father. Now imagine this boy as a man not only letting down his family, but the entire country of America. This man was Benedict Arnold, who was an American General and who became a traitor during the American revolution. Two marriages, a need for money, and a sad childhood weighed down Benedict causing him to make possibly the worst decision of his life, turning to the British side during the war. There is no denying his intelligence, but Benedict could not make sensible decisions. He stayed a traitor the rest of his life, dying in 1801 in England.

Benedict was a bright boy born on January

When he was a general in the Continental Army he (with Horatio Gates) lead forces during the Battle of Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga was pivotal to the success of the Continental Army. The Battle of Saratoga was in Saratoga New York, in the Fall of 1777. The British planned a three-part rendezvous. Only one part showed up, but the battle was still not a easy win. This win showcased Benedict Arnold’s leadership and skill. After this win Benedict was respected all over America. Unfortunately this didn’t last long. Benedict’s life and reputation could of been very different if some events were different. As stated on biography.com, “If the musket ball that shattered his thighbone entered his heart he would be remembered as one of this country’s greatest heroes. ``We would have cities named after him, a state named Arnold, monuments for him all over the place.” In 1780, however Benedict Arnold officially turned to the British side. Nobody knows his motive exactly for this action but most believe that he did it for money. He had to support his three sons and his wife. Especially in the time of war everything was hard to come by so Benedict was in a terrible situation. These accomplishments did not come without a price. The Battle of Saratoga was one of the hardest battles of the war. The Continental Army was barely surviving. Troops were tired, small in numbers, sick, and in desperate need of supplies. This all should adds up to a weak army, but not the Continental Army. They fought hard and won. One example of this obstacle is directly from Benedict, he said “Neglected by Congress below, distressed with small-pox; want of Generals and discipline in our Army, which may rather be called a great rabble, our credit and reputation lost, and great part of the country; and a powerful foreign enemy advancing upon us, are so many difficulties we cannot surmount them." Benedict’s personal