BENEDICT ARNOLD.   Term Paper ID:6312 Click to get this paper

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Paper Abstract: Studies America's most famous traitor; factors that caused him to change sides during the Revolutionary War. Paper Introduction: The purpose of this research is to examine the life of Benedict Arnold with emphasis on his reasons for betraying the revolution. Arnold is remembered as America's most infamous traitor. One of the Revolutionary War's greatest military heroes and field commanders, Arnold defected to the British side and offered to surrender West Point for money in 1780. The plot was discovered, and Arnold escaped, fought with the British Army and eventually went to England to live. The reasons for Arnold's defection and betrayal of trust are complex and manifold. The man who today is remembered in history only as a traitor was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. He and his sister Hannah were the only two of their parents' six Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. By May, English reinforcements arrived in Canada and Arnold wasforced to retreat. Washington dissuaded Arnold from resigning. It was an integral part of Arnold's character that he bethe one to lead, to receive the recognition. He and his sister Hannahwere the only two of their parents' six children to survive childhood. Montgomery was killed and Arnold wounded, but he laysiege to Quebec and was appointed Brigadier General by Congress by April1776.[vi] In both the above campaigns, Arnold came into conflict with otherofficers (Allen and Montgomery), as he was to do with their officers infuture campaigns. 8Lengyel, 216.Brian Richard Boylan, Benedict Arnold, the Dark Eagle (New York: W. In December 1776, a military inquiry was heldat Albany, New York into these charges. . Congress, however, had voted him Brigadier General, andin spite of the retreat, Arnold was elated as a result of his promotion,since approval for his actions was important to him.[vii] In the samerespect, non-recognition received in his later career led to greatbitterness on his part and was certainly one of the major reasons for histreason. . But while Arnold's fortuneswere improving, conditions in the colonies were worsening. ENDNOTES BIBLIOGRAPHYBoylan, Brian Richard. Thecontrol of West Point could very likely decide the outcome of the war. By the time Arnold married Margaret Mansfield, daughter of SamuelMansfield, the High Sheriff of New Haven, in 1769, his shipping business aswell as all colonial trade was failing as a result of the increased Britishcustoms efficiency.[iii] Arnold, like many other colonist traders, was forced to engage inillegal smuggling in order to make profits. Peggy joined her husband, wanting to bepresent for the surrender. By 1774, Arnold was active in Connecticut's revolutionarypreparations, in charge of drilling a company of volunteers. His second campaign, begun in September 1775, was to capture Quebec.Leading 1,1 men Arnold launched his assault on Quebec with BrigadierGeneral Montgomery. Arnold's grievances became more than resentmentnow; they took the form of action, of revenge. An alliance with France had been proposed by many Americans:To knowledgeable officers such as Benedict Arnold, the proposed alliance with France offered little more than a slim opportunity for Americans to effect a truce of some kind during which it was felt France would supplant England in America, and Arnold, like most othercolonials, viewed the French with more antipathy than the British.[xv] Arnold never felt certain that American would win the revolution, afactor which was to figure in his treason. The court cleared Arnold of all charges but one, the issuance of asafe-conduct pass to the ship "Charming Nancy" which he had permitted toland its goods in American-held territory (and in which ship he lateracquired a share in ownership).[xxiii] The sentence of Congress was that Arnold should receive a reprimandfrom the commander-in-chief, Washington. Hewas also in command of an expedition against New London, Connecticut whichled to the massacre at Fort Griswold.[xxvii] Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, Virginia on October19, 1781, and on December 15 Arnold sailed to England with Cornwallis.Arnold was given royal grants and pensions by the British but was turneddown for active service in the British Army. Shippen had welcomed both British and American officers into hishome. Delay . . .thwarted the civilian government."[ix] The legislators in Philadelphiabased their promotions on a per state quota and on how many troops eachstate had sent to the Continental Army.[x] Washington wrote a letter to Arnold explaining what had happened.Fearful that Arnold would resign his commission, Washington also wroteCongressman Richard Henry Lee requesting Arnold's promotion: General Arnold's non-promotion was owing to accident or design. By 178 , Washington was badly in need of experienced officers. . Arnold chose to defend himself. . The repressiveBritish measures were bringing colonial events to their historic climax. But as we have seenpreviously, Arnold had questionable ethics regarding profiteering based onhis position. Men like Arnold -mercurial,flamboyant - may become paranoid, and need applause and encouragement; whenoverlooked or ignored, they stew in agony.[xiv] Upon his return to New Haven in May of 1778, Arnold was given ahero's welcome, which helped soothe his ego. The results did not damage Arnoldnor did they completely clear him; the war was considered paramount overthe inquiry. His shipping business prosperedbut with the introduction of the Townsend Rules (including Tax Stamps) fromBritain, colonial American sea trade suffered. . The committee reported that only four ofthe charges could be tried by court martial, and that only two of the fourwere likely to be proven.[xx] Arnold petitioned Congress for an immediatecourt-martial to clear himself and resigned as military commander ofPhiladelphia. Arnold the general and soldier fought fiercely for independence, but Arnold the businessman was not fighting for a democratic concept in ] social or economic terms.[xix] The Council had instructed its delegation to Congress to demand theimmediate ouster of Arnold but none of the other delegates agreed, and themotion was referred to committee. The man who today is remembered in history only as a traitor was bornon January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1953.Lengyel, Cornel. Norton & Co., Inc., 1973.Flexner, James Thomas. Thisfactor, plus the opportunity for Washington to mitigate his publicreprimand of Arnold, led to Washington's decision to furnish Arnold "withthe opportunities for regaining the esteem which you have formerlyenjoyed.[xxv] Preparing for a switch of sides, Arnold attempted to changehis property into cash, and also requested back military pay fromConnecticut. . . The individual states were incompetition for leadership and the Continental Army was basically in growthstages. Arnold wasnow turning his energies towards rebellion and separation from Britain. In spite of all his valor, however, it wasrevealed that Arnold had been engaged in profiteering, in plunderingmerchants while in Montreal. . Hewas in treasonable correspondence with Major John Andre, the Shippen'strusted friend. Andre was the link between Arnold's contemplation ofchanging sides, and communication with the British Commander. that he will continue in service under such a slight.[xi] Arnold answered Washington's letter with a tone of bitterness andself-righteousness stating that "it is rather a misfortune than a faultthat my exertions have not been crowned with success."[xii] To Major General Horation Gates with whom Arnold led important navalbattles on Lake Champlain, he wrote that Congress had disgraced him and hefelt the "unmerited injury my countrymen have done me."[xiii] In May, Congress promoted Arnold to major general, but not toseniority in grade. It was part of Arnold's character and beliefs to believein the freedom of the individual from interference by the state: Arnold was a businessman, one of America's earliest capitalists, and any notion that would deny him the fruits of his investments and machinations received his scorn. The purpose of this research is to examine the life of BenedictArnold with emphasis on his reasons for betraying the revolution. The Traitor and the Spy. On May 5, Arnold wrote Washington: I ask only justice. Surely a more active, a more spirited and sensible officer, fills no department in your army. Healso did not know that Congress had ordered all Philadelphia businessesclosed for one week pending an investigation into conditions there.[xvi]Using his authority as military governor, Arnold entered into severalprofitable, secret business transactions with Philadelphia merchants. He shared command withEthan Allen in capturing Fort Ticonderoga, the first notable victory of theWar of Independence. Ethically speaking Arnold did not believe he didanything wrong. This was true of other officers as well. The reasons for Arnold's betrayal stemmed from his early life, hischaracter, his values and ultimately, his disappointment and frustrationand bitterness in what he felt was a betrayal of him by his country. Be the established military custom of seniority, Arnold was the nextranking brigadier general to be promoted to major general. Benedict Arnold, Hero and Traitor. . He received hiseducation between 1747-1754 at schools in Connecticut, excelling inmathematics and Latin. The reasons for Arnold's defection and betrayal of trust are complexand manifold. Benedict Arnold, The Anatomy of Treason. InFebruary of 1779, Arnold went to Albany to negotiate the grant, and in hisabsence the Executive Council of Pennsylvania published eight chargesagainst him.[xviii] Arnold returned to Philadelphia from New York demanding a hearingregarding the charges. Theoriginal Arnold family was substantial: Benedict's great-grandfather wasPresident of the Rhode Island Colony and his grandfather a member of theRhode Island Assembly. In February of 1777, an eventoccurred which is certainly part of the basis for Arnold's later betrayalof America. I have nothing left but the little reputation I have gained in the army. . His father was a successful shipping merchant wholost his fortune while Benedict was in his teens, and turned to heavydrinking.[i] "The boys privileged position lasted just long enough to make clearto him, when the family prestige vanished, what he had lost."[ii] Duringthe entire course of his lifetime, Benedict was highly conscious ofprestige, class and money. Arnold is remembered as America's most infamous traitor. W. New York: Roy Publishers, Inc., 1965.-----------------------Lauren Paine, Benedict Arnold, Hero and Traitor (New York: RoyPublishers, Inc., 1965), 14.James Thomas Flexner, The Traitor and the Boy (New York:Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1953), 4.Paine, 22.Paine, 27.Cornel Lengyel, Benedict Arnold, the Anatomy of Treason (NewYork: Doubleday & Co., 196 ), 215.Ibid.Paine, 7 . Washington wrote the reprimandwith regret. Arnold, since 1779 and the court-martial postponements, had beensending coded messages to the British bargaining for terms and rewards. By July 178 , after the official reprimand, Arnold had offered tosurrender West Point for a fee, if he could obtain command on it. It was part of Arnold's character to attempt to profit from whateverhe was engaged in, even a revolution. Like all Continental officers, Arnold's military pay was in arrears,and he had never been paid back for his personal funds used for militarypurposes. . Benedict Arnold, the Dark Eagle. Atthe outbreak of the rebellion, Arnold was elected captain of the New HavenFootguards, one of the two uniformed elements of the Continental Army.[iv] In May of 1775, Arnold was commissioned Colonel by the MassachusettsCommittee of Safety.[v] Like many other field commanders, Arnold had touse his own money to feed and care for his men. Andre finally informed Arnold that the British commander Clintonagreed to Arnold's delivering West Point to the British. On August 3,178 , Washington issued the order that "Major General Arnold will takecommand of the garrison at West Point."[xxvi] After the long delay in treason plans, it now seemed certain that theBritish would receive West Point. Later that month he reportedto Washington at Valley Forge. New York: Doubleday & Co., 196 .Paine, Lauren. Arnold gave Andre a pass to travel through New York. It is not to be presumed . The plot was discovered, and Arnold escaped, fought with theBritish Army and eventually went to England to live. Washington, under orders from Congress, set May 1, 1779 as the datefor the court martial, but the Pennsylvania Council said it needed moretime to gather evidence, so the court martial was postponed to June 1, thento July 1.[xxi] The delays infuriated Arnold who felt Congress was giving theadvantage to the Pennsylvania Council. . Most of Arnold's thoughts during his stay in the hospital wereexpressed in the indignant letters he wrote and dealt with what heconsidered injustices heaped upon him. The hearings opened on December 24,1779, and continued to January 26, 178 . WestPoint had been turned by Washington into America's last great arsenal. He also believed the reprimand would adversely effect his chances forgetting an important command, which was essential for financial reasons aswell as reasons of pride. Norton & Co., Inc., 1973), 89.Ibid.Boylan, 9 .Ibid., 91.Flexner, 121.Boylan, 149.Paine, 127-128.Ibid., 129.Ibid., 131.Lengyel, 217.Boylan, 158-159.Ibid., 159.Ibid.Ibid, 16 .Ibid., 161.Ibid., 162.Lengyel, 78.Flexner, 317.Lengyel, 219.----------------------- 12 By 1781, Arnold was appointed a Brigadier General in theBritish Army, and was in active duty in Virginia against the Americans. He now became attracted tonineteen-year-old Peggy Shippen, daughter of Edward Shippen, who, like mostmen of substance during that time walked a "narrowing path between loyaltyand rebellion."[xvii] Arnold and Peggy were married in April of 1779. Even George Washington, his friend, held Arnold inhigh esteem for his military leadership and bravery. .[xxii] During all this time, the war was still on, which also may have beena factor in the court-martial delays. Arnold, while in retreat from Canada, engaged in important navalbattles on Lake Champlain. He was acknowledged by Americans as a hero of theongoing revolution. Arnold and Andre had a secret meeting, one they believed would endtheir business since the British had decided on their plan to attack WestPoint. New York:W. One of theRevolutionary War's greatest military heroes and field commanders, Arnolddefected to the British side and offered to surrender West Point for moneyin 178 . His wife had died in 1775 and the care of his threechildren were left to his sister Hannah. Benedict was considered a high-spirited, enterprising, ill-behavedboy, performing what were considered anti-social pranks. is worse than death . . Philadelphia had been abandonedby the British after a nine month occupancy which left the city corruption-ridden, Washington offered Arnold the military governorship of Pennsylvaniawith headquarters in Philadelphia, which he accepted, not knowing thatPhiladelphia's powerful Executive Council was feuding with Congress. In his new position, Arnold was welcomed into Philadelphia's upperechelon society. That November he applied for a grant of 13 , cres of land in the Mohawk Valley from the New York legislature. Captain John Andre was among the British officers who had become afriend of the Shippens. Finally,Congress restored him to rank in grade while he was convalescing in amilitary hospital in Albany. As a general, Arnold was called the best rebel leader by theBritish generals. Hebecame an accomplished apothecary, but turned to the sea and the world oftrade when his apprenticeship was over. He wasstopped by Americans who, in searching him for money, found papers in hisstocking which were incriminating, and Andre was placed under arrest.Apprised of Andre's capture, Arnold fled to New York. On September 29, acourt martial found Andre guilty as a spy and he was hung on October 2,178 . W. As a matter of course, he renewed his oathof allegiance to America on May 3 . In an attempt to vindicate his treason and to win over Americansoldiers to the British side, Arnold published a proclamation to theContinental Army. But from Arnold's point of view, as well as his bride's,Peggy, the reprimand represented "the ultimate disgrace to a braveman."[xxiv] Arnold felt betrayed, rather than the betrayer. . Arnold, by the summer of 1778, had become involved in disputes withthe Executive Council. In 1755, he was apprenticed to the LathropBrothers, pharmacists in Norwich, with whom he remained until age 21. On February 19,Congress appointed five new major generals but bypassed Arnold.[viii] Congress has decided that seniority alone was a "dangerous criterionfor promotion, since it established an internal army power which . If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.

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