Benedict Arnold: Traitor Or Patriot?
The answer might surprise you
“Mans nature, his passions and anxieties, are a cultural product; as a matter of fact, man himself is the most important creation and achievement of the continuous human effort, the record of what we call history”. ( Eric Fromm, 1900–1980, Escape from Freedom)
Did you ever wonder why Benedict Arnold is considered, to this day, a traitor? Did it ever cross your mind that he was the most outstanding general that Washington had, the “American Hannibal” according to the British, and yet he is considered a “turncoat”?
From the time Arnold was a child, he was very independent, a contrarian. He hated sitting in church listening to the pastor preach. From early childhood and into adulthood he was a leader, a competitor, a smuggler, a sea captain, a trader, and a rebel.
During the war, he defeated Burgoine at Saratoga and took possession of the St. Lawrence River. He delayed the British from attacking New York, and he captured Fort Ticonderoga.
In fact, at Washington’s insistence, Arnold was on his way to fight the British at Quebec, when a terrible blizzard stopped him in his tracks.
During the battle of Saratoga, his troops were about to collapse, and against orders of General Horatio Gates, despite Arnolds’ bravery, took credit for the defeat.
Arnold was angered as he was constantly being passed over for promotions. At the time, the Continental Congress had the power of promotion-not the military. Even George Washington had to relinquish this power, much to his consternation.
Arnold was irascible, lived a lavish lifestyle, was brash, and criticized other generals, but didn’t like it when he was criticized.
Due to his rebellious nature, Arnold had had enough. After he was appointed Military Governor of Philadelphia, he fell in love with Peggy Shippen, a loyalist. Because of his strident anger, he gave Peggy the Colonial strategy for defending West Point.
Arnold also collaborated with Major John Andry, another loyalist. When Andry was captured the papers he carried were an indictment of Arnold. Andry was hung. Arnold was now known for his disloyalty and a price was put on his head.
He died in 1801 at the age of 60 a broken man.
Is it happenstance events that determine history?
Or is it mens’ personalities that shape it?
Is it greed, honor, pride, or jealousy that form chronicles?
Is it politics that shape phenomena, or do they just happen?
Was Benedict Arnold a patriot or traitor? You decide
