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Benedict Arnold: America's Most Infamous Traitor

Early Life

Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. He was the son of a well-to-do merchant and was educated at Yale College. Arnold was a successful businessman before the outbreak of the American Revolution.

Revolutionary War Hero

When the American Revolution began, Arnold joined the Continental Army and quickly rose through the ranks. He was a brilliant military strategist and a courageous leader. Arnold played a key role in the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

Treason and Defection

In 1779, Arnold began to collude with the British. He was motivated by a combination of personal ambition and financial need. Arnold planned to surrender the American fortress at West Point to the British, but his plot was discovered and he was forced to flee to the British lines.

Life After the War

Arnold spent the rest of his life in exile in England. He died in London in 1801, a broken and despised man. Arnold's betrayal is still one of the most infamous events in American history.

The Complicated Politics of the Founding Era

The story of Benedict Arnold's betrayal highlights the complicated politics of the American Revolution. The war was a time of great turmoil and upheaval, and many people were torn between their loyalty to the Crown and their desire for independence. Arnold was just one of many Americans who struggled to reconcile these conflicting loyalties.