Leading to Treason
Even after all of Arnold's heroic triumphs and status as a battle-proven general, by the winter of 1778, Benedict Arnold firmly decided to switch sides, in favor of the British cause. After all of his victories in the face of near-impossible odds, why would Arnold suddenly turn-coat and commit treason against the fledgling country that he had fought for, for so long? His treason cannot be boiled down to one cause or snub, but a series of disappointments, and insults suffered over the course of many years, including:
- Criticism from his superiors and underlings in the Continental Army
- Continually passed-over for his promotion to Major General in 1777, by the Continental Congress
- His heroic acts were often attributed to other Generals & leaders
- The Continental Congress failed to pay debts that they owed Arnold
- His young, second wife, Peggy Shippen was from a famous Loyalist family
In 1780, Benedict Arnold tried & failed to turn-over the blueprints of West Point to the British via Jean Andre, but failed - after fleeing to Britain, Arnold eventually fought for and led troops for the British.
http://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/06/27/benedict-arnold-a-traitor-but-once-a-patriot
Read the article from U.S. News & World Report on Arnold's contradictions, and then view the above video done by the A&E channel on the actions leading to Arnold's treason, and the act itself. Use your "Benedict Arnold: Notes" page, to write down the facts and actions that helped lead Arnold to treason, and the events that occurred because of his misguided actions.