@SaltySangster He was a great military leader, which is why his betrayal was so bitterly resented. Among soldiers, he had rock-star status. There were other American traitors, such as Benjamin Church, but we rarely hear about them because they weren't admired to the same extent that Arnold was.
The thing is though, did Arnold always see his loyalty with the crown or did he decide to change sides after an experience? I suppose the same goes for Washington did he always plan to start a war of independence or did he just do it on a wimp?
@Monkey4banannas Arnold was active in the anti-tax activites that led to the war, so I would think he was honestly on the colonial side. From what I read, one of the potential causes for his treason against the Americans was simply pride. He didn't necessarily get the credit he felt he deserved, wasn't promoted and given commands as quickly as he thought he should, so that could have led to him switching. As it is, the failure of his plot ensured he did as much as anyone to win independence.
I wouldn't call this guy a hero. I'm Canadian, but I don't think it's heroic to betray the side you're fighting for. I'm on Canada's side of course, and so I'd be on Britian's side in these battles, but if you want to fight for the British empire, do it, don't fight for the Americans and then betray them. That's just devious and underhanded.
@KingofStarfox But if you are on the British side and an American soldier wants to defect to your side, shouldn't the logical point of view be that he's doing the right thing? And anyone who would answer that with, "But he was motivated by greed and bitterness, not sincerity, etc." is missing the point. If you get a defector and you really want to be logical and consistent, then you're stuck with him. Otherwise you aren't really sure about the rightness of your own position. Peace.
You see I have a problem with calling the rebels during the revolution 'Americans'. I just don't see them as Americans. I see them as British rebels, they only became Americans AFTER the war.
@grobo11 Well, it's irrelevant anyway because history is usually written by the winners. The Americans won, Britain officially recognized our independence in 1783, and both America and "Americans" have been here to stay ever since!
we forget one thing about benedict arnold and that is why he betrayed america look it up when u find out why u prolly shouldnt blame him i sure as heck dont
I've read that the story is apocryphal, though it's an interesting sign of the ambivalent feelings Americans had toward Arnold. If a fiction, someone obviously wanted to believe that at the end he repented his treason.
benedict arnold was a traitor because he fought for the patriot side, then the loyalist side, his need for money, and his anger at the french american alliance angered him, along with his wife Peggy Shippen made him betray the colonies. though everyone has to remember he was one of the most capable military officers on the continental army, and without him the war would have been lost to the british, or the war would have ended at a stalemate.
Like in modern times, it was a hot chick that pulled all the strings on the men in her life. Peggy Shippen got one guy killed and one guy ostracized from his own army
Benedict Arnold is essentially the reason the Americans won the battle of Saratoga. It was this victory that convinced the French to unite with us for the remainder of the war. So we then gain their army and their powerful navy. The French, in large part, are the reason for our success and victory of the Revolution. Hence, if it weren't for Benedict Arnold, we never would have won the war, there would be no America, and we would not be here today. Hmm...
Thats what I belive, he was a good soldier, but only left for money even for all the battles he won for the americans. Money is the root of all betral.
benedict arnold was a hero he was a great man and did a lot of great things in the american army he captured fort ticonderoga, stalled the british long and good at lake champlain and had the americans win the battle of saratoga and did a lot of other great things without him the war for the americans probably would have been lost for the americans at the beginning of the war
Well! :-D It's a matter of political perspective. Like Gorbachev, whom the West view as a hero for bringing about the dissolution of the Soviet Union (however unintentionally), while some Russians view him as a traitor. There's been some revision of thinking on Arnold, lately though.
I don't know what i had done if: others get the credits for my achievements, getting passed over a couple of times, getting falsely accused of corruption and my country alliances with a country that i really hate.
benidict arnald is a legend and done a great service to the crown. by having 4 sons give service in the british army i mean. he allso done a good job for the american cause.
Yes it's a shame most people overlook the great things Benedict Arnold has done for the US before eventually turning coat.
If he was killed 2 months before that happened he'd only be known in America as a hero. He was unfairly treated the whole time and honestly I don't blame him all that much for doing what he did.
The victory monument at Saratoga has four niches, three of which are occupied by statues of generals Gates, Schuyler, and Morgan. The fourth niche is empty.
They left out the crucial info that his great grandfather Benedict Arnold I was the royal govenor of Rhode Island. The family had lost presige every generation and Benedict Arnold V (our hero) was raised to restore the name of Benedict Arnold to it's former glory. His father's business was destroyed during an economic downturn in the colonies and he lost his shirt. That, combined with losing two more children in 1753, his 11 and 9 years old daughters, started his desent into drunkeness.
Ironically one of my forefathers fought as a loyalist during the revolution, and another signed the declaration of independence. Thanks for the video!!
The narrator says Thames River at 3:55 ... isn't it pronounced "Tims"? This is an A&E doc... No wonder the terrorist hate us... lol
EustaceQuinley 1 month ago
What kills mankind is the Ego!!! Benedict was a fine general, but he was in for Glory!!!
GUALLACOL 3 months ago
didn't canadians wound this man as a lesson
1988scottcarey 3 months ago
After all he did for the American cause, because of his selfishness and ego, none of it matters. It's a cautionary tale.
Christobanistan 6 months ago
Funny, i was taught he was a great leader, although i am from Canada.
SaltySangster 7 months ago
@SaltySangster He was a great military leader, which is why his betrayal was so bitterly resented. Among soldiers, he had rock-star status. There were other American traitors, such as Benjamin Church, but we rarely hear about them because they weren't admired to the same extent that Arnold was.
woodbineRed 7 months ago
Does Arnold have any living descendants?
m2diggs 7 months ago
The thing is though, did Arnold always see his loyalty with the crown or did he decide to change sides after an experience? I suppose the same goes for Washington did he always plan to start a war of independence or did he just do it on a wimp?
Monkey4banannas 10 months ago
@Monkey4banannas Arnold was active in the anti-tax activites that led to the war, so I would think he was honestly on the colonial side. From what I read, one of the potential causes for his treason against the Americans was simply pride. He didn't necessarily get the credit he felt he deserved, wasn't promoted and given commands as quickly as he thought he should, so that could have led to him switching. As it is, the failure of his plot ensured he did as much as anyone to win independence.
gturner38 7 months ago
maine would be named "Arnoldton" now had he died in saratoga
alexthelizardking 10 months ago
Does anyone else find it ironic that he is considered in the U.S as a traitor?
gamblemadman 10 months ago
i just found out that benidict arnold was my great great great great great great great great uncle no joke
horsecrazy4011 1 year ago
@horsecrazy4011 Well in that case why don't you betray your country and come to our side?
2601andrew 1 year ago
@horsecrazy4011 u a lie
toxicrexdawg 11 months ago
thanks for posting, I have a test on the revolution this week and this is more interesting then going over notes again
SuicidalMickeyMouse3 1 year ago
@SuicidalMickeyMouse3 me too, but i have to make a presentation on him for my college history class
DownofaSystem2012 1 year ago
Benedict Arnold was right to betray his country look at all the awful things America has done
GuysSeriously 1 year ago
What exactly did the guy say at 1:25 ?
GothicKnight2 1 year ago
@GothicKnight2 I think he said, "Thus no one names their son "Benedict" in America."
woodbineRed 1 year ago 5
@woodbineRed That sounds about right. Thanks.
GothicKnight2 1 year ago
my ancestor's house was this guys headquarters
neil182sr 1 year ago
of all the docs i watched this one had the best music :) thx 4 uploading
OneTrueLionessQueen 1 year ago
I wouldn't call this guy a hero. I'm Canadian, but I don't think it's heroic to betray the side you're fighting for. I'm on Canada's side of course, and so I'd be on Britian's side in these battles, but if you want to fight for the British empire, do it, don't fight for the Americans and then betray them. That's just devious and underhanded.
KingofStarfox 1 year ago
@KingofStarfox But if you are on the British side and an American soldier wants to defect to your side, shouldn't the logical point of view be that he's doing the right thing? And anyone who would answer that with, "But he was motivated by greed and bitterness, not sincerity, etc." is missing the point. If you get a defector and you really want to be logical and consistent, then you're stuck with him. Otherwise you aren't really sure about the rightness of your own position. Peace.
danning1 1 year ago
You see I have a problem with calling the rebels during the revolution 'Americans'. I just don't see them as Americans. I see them as British rebels, they only became Americans AFTER the war.
grobo11 1 year ago
@grobo11 Well, it's irrelevant anyway because history is usually written by the winners. The Americans won, Britain officially recognized our independence in 1783, and both America and "Americans" have been here to stay ever since!
danning1 1 year ago
Go Ben Arnold!
DarthWill3 1 year ago
we forget one thing about benedict arnold and that is why he betrayed america look it up when u find out why u prolly shouldnt blame him i sure as heck dont
Mr909012 2 years ago
@Mr909012 neither do i and im glad on not alone :)
OneTrueLionessQueen 1 year ago
@Mr909012 your right about that
gamersandgeeksstop 1 year ago
have you ever noticed that most traitors loved their mother and had major issues with their father?
steventhestudent 2 years ago
I wonder if the story of Benedict Arnold wanting to die in his old continental army officer's uniform was factual, or fictional?
imperatorcaesar100 2 years ago
I've read that the story is apocryphal, though it's an interesting sign of the ambivalent feelings Americans had toward Arnold. If a fiction, someone obviously wanted to believe that at the end he repented his treason.
woodbineRed 2 years ago
I don't know but I do know that he was buried in his old continental army uniform
steventhestudent 2 years ago
benedict arnold was a traitor because he fought for the patriot side, then the loyalist side, his need for money, and his anger at the french american alliance angered him, along with his wife Peggy Shippen made him betray the colonies. though everyone has to remember he was one of the most capable military officers on the continental army, and without him the war would have been lost to the british, or the war would have ended at a stalemate.
imperatorcaesar100 2 years ago
Like in modern times, it was a hot chick that pulled all the strings on the men in her life. Peggy Shippen got one guy killed and one guy ostracized from his own army
steventhestudent 2 years ago
Here's a chain of events to think about:
Benedict Arnold is essentially the reason the Americans won the battle of Saratoga. It was this victory that convinced the French to unite with us for the remainder of the war. So we then gain their army and their powerful navy. The French, in large part, are the reason for our success and victory of the Revolution. Hence, if it weren't for Benedict Arnold, we never would have won the war, there would be no America, and we would not be here today. Hmm...
FacebookMeOnMyspace 2 years ago
Thats what I belive, he was a good soldier, but only left for money even for all the battles he won for the americans. Money is the root of all betral.
Myhistory123 2 years ago
benedict arnold was a hero he was a great man and did a lot of great things in the american army he captured fort ticonderoga, stalled the british long and good at lake champlain and had the americans win the battle of saratoga and did a lot of other great things without him the war for the americans probably would have been lost for the americans at the beginning of the war
Mr909012 2 years ago
Well! :-D It's a matter of political perspective. Like Gorbachev, whom the West view as a hero for bringing about the dissolution of the Soviet Union (however unintentionally), while some Russians view him as a traitor. There's been some revision of thinking on Arnold, lately though.
woodbineRed 2 years ago
I don't know what i had done if: others get the credits for my achievements, getting passed over a couple of times, getting falsely accused of corruption and my country alliances with a country that i really hate.
2ndltalfredludlow 2 years ago
I'm related to benedict arnold.
gammaking100 2 years ago
benidict arnald is a legend and done a great service to the crown. by having 4 sons give service in the british army i mean. he allso done a good job for the american cause.
patsyd80 2 years ago
Yes it's a shame most people overlook the great things Benedict Arnold has done for the US before eventually turning coat.
If he was killed 2 months before that happened he'd only be known in America as a hero. He was unfairly treated the whole time and honestly I don't blame him all that much for doing what he did.
OlderG0ds 2 years ago
The victory monument at Saratoga has four niches, three of which are occupied by statues of generals Gates, Schuyler, and Morgan. The fourth niche is empty.
AdvanXer 2 years ago
. . . and ironically my dad is named Ben Arnold ha ha
missmarie273 2 years ago
He's supposed to be my ancestor. No wonder my family is cursed lol!
missmarie273 2 years ago
I didn't know they had ballpoint pens in the 1700's. LOL!
louthebody 2 years ago
They left out the crucial info that his great grandfather Benedict Arnold I was the royal govenor of Rhode Island. The family had lost presige every generation and Benedict Arnold V (our hero) was raised to restore the name of Benedict Arnold to it's former glory. His father's business was destroyed during an economic downturn in the colonies and he lost his shirt. That, combined with losing two more children in 1753, his 11 and 9 years old daughters, started his desent into drunkeness.
crocostimpy 3 years ago
i love history its so fun!
sk8rgeorge67 3 years ago
i thought he was the pope of rome
crazycaleb92 3 years ago
O they weren't of the same branch. The loyalist ancestor moved to Canada after the war. The signer was Samuel Huntington if I remember correctly.
jimmbo13 3 years ago
So Huntington lived in Norwich, as well. It must have galled him that Arnold was associated with the town.
woodbineRed 3 years ago
Ironically one of my forefathers fought as a loyalist during the revolution, and another signed the declaration of independence. Thanks for the video!!
jimmbo13 3 years ago
Yes, the Revolution very often split up families. If you don't mind my asking, which of the signers was your ancestor?
woodbineRed 3 years ago