Benedict Arnold: The American Traitor

1. Benedict Arnold: The American Traitor Erin Jessen

2. Pre-war Life • Benedict Arnold was born American • He fought in the French and Indian war on- and-off • *Arnold owned an apothecary, however, after many of Britain's taxes, he started to deal in illegal smuggling-- against the taxes • *Right before the war officially started, Arnold was a Captain in Connecticut's Militia • (Hint: *asterisks* means that the following information is an answer on your paper.)

3. Early Revolutionary War Career • Arnold was assigned to help lead the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, however, his regiment met up with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Though very reluctant, Arnold let Allen take charge of the group. • Benedict Arnold was made a Colonel in the Continental Army and was asked to lead the invasion of Quebec. • Although the invasion failed, he was made Brigadier General in reward for his determination.

4. Legal Problems • Benedict Arnold had many legal problems. One of the first accusations was after Quebec. He was charged with the plunder of supplies (which were needed) while leaving Montreal. However, *he was acquitted by General Horatio Gates, who still wanted Arnold as an active officer. • Later, he was put in charge of Fort Ticonderoga and a small fleet of ships. But Arnold was then blamed for the loss of 10 out of the 15 ships • Arnold was often accused by others, usually rival officers for being rash and resenting orders. • *As a result of all these charges, the Continental Congress took away Benedict Arnold’s seniority, for which he would never forgive them. Infuriated by the disgrace to his loyalty, he resigned July of 1777.

5. A Suspended Resignation • *Arnold suspended his resignation to help General Schuyler with the leadership disputes at Ticonderoga. • *Benedict Arnold took Fort Schuyler from the British by feigning that he had hundreds of thousands of men. • Later, Arnold was involved in the Battle of Saratoga. He was acting under General Gates, however he was ordered to not take an offensive charge. *Disregarding the order, Arnold rode out on his horse and charged, causing other men to follow him. His charge was one of the leading factors to the American victory at Saratoga. This was a significant battle that convinced the French to ally themselves with the colonies.

6. Traitor: Switching Sides • *Benedict Arnold signed the Oath of Allegiance to America on May 30,1778. • Arnold soon got into even more financial and legal trouble when he was convicted of using military supplies for himself, living outside his means. *He was found guilty. • Starting somewhere around May of 1779, Arnold began contact with General Sir Henry Clinton of the British army. • The plan involved many communications, all passing information on how Benedict Arnold would *weaken the defenses of West Point, so that the British could easily invade and take over West Point and other areas of the Hudson River Valley. • Arnold was offered many payments for his service, at one point up to £10,000, compensation for losses during the war, protection, and a position in the British army. • *The plot was discovered in September of 1780. Arnold escaped on a ship to England, where his family settled. Benedict Arnold was then made a Brigadier General in the British army.

7. The End