How Benedict Arnold Was Really Betrayed By America
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Date: 2022-12-29
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Comments and reviews: 20
Yosemite
One of the very few A's I ever got when in college was due to a speech I did on Arnold. At first the idea was just to do a quick and easy speech about a known Rev War figure that was also a traitor. But doing research I started to learn the rest of the story. They sort of glossed over things here but Gates was a major problem for Arnold. The Continental Congress loved Gates and listened to him rather than take longer looks at things. By the time I gave the speech I was thinking a lot more of Patton than Arnold. I felt then as now that one thing people are missing about him was his desire to be seen as a great leader of men. The same as might be said about Patton. If you look at Shakespere's work and Marc Antony's speech to Julius Ceasar you might see the things I started to see.
'Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones; '
Wasn't that the case with Arnold yet the deeper we look the more good we see. Yes, like Caesar he was an ambitious man and that ambition was a grievous fault. But was it such a fault that he led his men decisively while watching Gates tapdance around and the end result was fewer men died under Arnold than under Gates? Maybe imagine the results had Patton dillydallyed around with the relief at the Battle of the Bulge?
Was Arnold some paragon of virtue? Not so much. He definitely had other faults. But don't we all. And maybe the one thing that has always stuck out for me.
How is he a traitor when he turned his back on the traitorous cause of the revolution and returned to his first allegiance to England? Because for him to be a traitor and Washington to be a patriot so too must Robert E. Lee be a patriot to his cause. Otherwise the traitors were pretty much everyone mentioned except Arnold.
Just because your side looses does not make you a traitor as long as you stayed true to the cause you have given your allegiance to. People with no understanding of the principles this country was founded under can't understand that Lee was a son of Virginia, not the United States. That might be one of the biggest failures of modern history education.
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One of the very few A's I ever got when in college was due to a speech I did on Arnold. At first the idea was just to do a quick and easy speech about a known Rev War figure that was also a traitor. But doing research I started to learn the rest of the story. They sort of glossed over things here but Gates was a major problem for Arnold. The Continental Congress loved Gates and listened to him rather than take longer looks at things. By the time I gave the speech I was thinking a lot more of Patton than Arnold. I felt then as now that one thing people are missing about him was his desire to be seen as a great leader of men. The same as might be said about Patton. If you look at Shakespere's work and Marc Antony's speech to Julius Ceasar you might see the things I started to see.
'Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones; '
Wasn't that the case with Arnold yet the deeper we look the more good we see. Yes, like Caesar he was an ambitious man and that ambition was a grievous fault. But was it such a fault that he led his men decisively while watching Gates tapdance around and the end result was fewer men died under Arnold than under Gates? Maybe imagine the results had Patton dillydallyed around with the relief at the Battle of the Bulge?
Was Arnold some paragon of virtue? Not so much. He definitely had other faults. But don't we all. And maybe the one thing that has always stuck out for me.
How is he a traitor when he turned his back on the traitorous cause of the revolution and returned to his first allegiance to England? Because for him to be a traitor and Washington to be a patriot so too must Robert E. Lee be a patriot to his cause. Otherwise the traitors were pretty much everyone mentioned except Arnold.
Just because your side looses does not make you a traitor as long as you stayed true to the cause you have given your allegiance to. People with no understanding of the principles this country was founded under can't understand that Lee was a son of Virginia, not the United States. That might be one of the biggest failures of modern history education.
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Gone
He betrayed the Continental Army and America and I dont think America betrayed him in any way but they did fail to properly utilize him. He was a brave war fighter who probably should not have been commanding in a conventional army at the time. He probably should have been tasked with a much more aggressive smaller unit that was sent on higher risk higher reward missions or taken him out of the conventional army and put into a more special forces type role where he would be able to keep his spoils of war but also still fight for America against the British but it seems like America at that time was obsessed with conventional war fare even though militia forces who did not commit to those concepts were successful in carrying out raiding tactics and so forth. I think a guy like Arnold could have been placed in charge of militia forces and harassed the British much more effectively with quick hit raids, merchant assaults and so forth. By every account he was too brave for his own good and either they would have a successful raider or a dead problematic general either way a win win.
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He betrayed the Continental Army and America and I dont think America betrayed him in any way but they did fail to properly utilize him. He was a brave war fighter who probably should not have been commanding in a conventional army at the time. He probably should have been tasked with a much more aggressive smaller unit that was sent on higher risk higher reward missions or taken him out of the conventional army and put into a more special forces type role where he would be able to keep his spoils of war but also still fight for America against the British but it seems like America at that time was obsessed with conventional war fare even though militia forces who did not commit to those concepts were successful in carrying out raiding tactics and so forth. I think a guy like Arnold could have been placed in charge of militia forces and harassed the British much more effectively with quick hit raids, merchant assaults and so forth. By every account he was too brave for his own good and either they would have a successful raider or a dead problematic general either way a win win.
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Sinn0100
We think of generals that stay behind the lines barking out orders. no. There are quite a few modern generals that defy this notion. Stormin Norman and Colin Powell are two examples of this very feat. Further, while Arnold was a good general I do not consider the turncoat he does not breach my top 10 of all time.
1. Alexander The Great
2. Hannibal Barca
3. Erwin Rommel
4. Winfield Scott
5. George S. Patton
6. Georgy Zhukov
7. Ulysses S. Grant
8. Napoleon Bonaparte
9. Robert E. Lee
10. Erich Von Manstein
Bonus 5-
11. Alexander Suvorov
12. Scipio Africanus
13. William T. Sherman
14. Julius Ceasar
15. George Washington
Addendum- My opinion of Arnold will never change. He put himself over the country, her people, and the men he commanded for personal gain. Had he bid his time, continued to serve with distinction, and remained an American patriot he would have reaped the rewards he so desperately craved. It's a shame he was never caught and hanged for his treasonous actions.
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We think of generals that stay behind the lines barking out orders. no. There are quite a few modern generals that defy this notion. Stormin Norman and Colin Powell are two examples of this very feat. Further, while Arnold was a good general I do not consider the turncoat he does not breach my top 10 of all time.
1. Alexander The Great
2. Hannibal Barca
3. Erwin Rommel
4. Winfield Scott
5. George S. Patton
6. Georgy Zhukov
7. Ulysses S. Grant
8. Napoleon Bonaparte
9. Robert E. Lee
10. Erich Von Manstein
Bonus 5-
11. Alexander Suvorov
12. Scipio Africanus
13. William T. Sherman
14. Julius Ceasar
15. George Washington
Addendum- My opinion of Arnold will never change. He put himself over the country, her people, and the men he commanded for personal gain. Had he bid his time, continued to serve with distinction, and remained an American patriot he would have reaped the rewards he so desperately craved. It's a shame he was never caught and hanged for his treasonous actions.
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Eric
Benedict Arnold was one of the best officers for the colonies but was totally underrated and undermined by everyone regardless of all the victories he won even though Horatio Gates took all the credit he still charged head first into the enemy on horseback and continuing to fight even after being injured while Horatio hid in his guarded tent. He brought up these grievances to multiple officers thru the chain of command and eventually even to George Washington. Still his complaints went ignored. After he was turned down on his grievance for an increase of rank and leadership of a company he finally said enough was enough because he knew it wasn't his injured leg that caused Washington to say no it was because Horatio Gates tried and accomplished to break down his character. Benedict wife was in full support of her husband and sick of watching him being used and that's why he turned coat. So you really can't be that mad at him given the circumstances
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Benedict Arnold was one of the best officers for the colonies but was totally underrated and undermined by everyone regardless of all the victories he won even though Horatio Gates took all the credit he still charged head first into the enemy on horseback and continuing to fight even after being injured while Horatio hid in his guarded tent. He brought up these grievances to multiple officers thru the chain of command and eventually even to George Washington. Still his complaints went ignored. After he was turned down on his grievance for an increase of rank and leadership of a company he finally said enough was enough because he knew it wasn't his injured leg that caused Washington to say no it was because Horatio Gates tried and accomplished to break down his character. Benedict wife was in full support of her husband and sick of watching him being used and that's why he turned coat. So you really can't be that mad at him given the circumstances
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Belle
No, this doesn't change my opinion of him as I never thought of him as the villainous character that American historians like to paint him as. Let's face it, they were English subjects who were being treasonous by revolting against their King. So he turned on the home country and had a change of heart, lots of people changed sides, brothers, fathers and sons were on opposite sides. It could here ended differently and the American Revolution would have been but a footnote in history as the revolt in the American Colonies. A revolution is a treasonous act of revolting succeeds. Unfortunately for Arnold who was the son and grandson of celebrated men who bore the name Benedict Arnold as well, unfortunately for Arnold, he was a subject who conspired against the Crown, then turned on his fellow conspirators, he was a double turn coat and now his name is forever mud. However, he is judged too harshly, it cannot have been an choice.
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No, this doesn't change my opinion of him as I never thought of him as the villainous character that American historians like to paint him as. Let's face it, they were English subjects who were being treasonous by revolting against their King. So he turned on the home country and had a change of heart, lots of people changed sides, brothers, fathers and sons were on opposite sides. It could here ended differently and the American Revolution would have been but a footnote in history as the revolt in the American Colonies. A revolution is a treasonous act of revolting succeeds. Unfortunately for Arnold who was the son and grandson of celebrated men who bore the name Benedict Arnold as well, unfortunately for Arnold, he was a subject who conspired against the Crown, then turned on his fellow conspirators, he was a double turn coat and now his name is forever mud. However, he is judged too harshly, it cannot have been an choice.
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BigSmiler
Why not tell the True Story about another big lie? Around 3: 05 the written text says George Washington was the first US president. He didn't become President until 1789. But we say the USA came into existence 13 years before that. (Actually, Congress was meeting, and acting as a Nation, starting in 1774 and the Head of State had the job title of President--15 years before George. Why can't we Americans acknowledge the Daring achievements of all the Presidents who served During the Revolution when the British had a death sentence on them all? Why is their service a Dark Secret?
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Why not tell the True Story about another big lie? Around 3: 05 the written text says George Washington was the first US president. He didn't become President until 1789. But we say the USA came into existence 13 years before that. (Actually, Congress was meeting, and acting as a Nation, starting in 1774 and the Head of State had the job title of President--15 years before George. Why can't we Americans acknowledge the Daring achievements of all the Presidents who served During the Revolution when the British had a death sentence on them all? Why is their service a Dark Secret?
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Nom
Gates took all the credit for Arnold's successes, and wanted Washington's job.
The most influential person to corrupt Arnold against America, was none other than Peggy Shippen. the power of erections
Her family we're ardent Loyalists, as was she
If women really knew how much power they really have over str8 men, it would be a completely different social and political landscape
His shenanigans in Philly didn't actually help his cause.
Ironically Washington was traveling to see Arnold, to offer him another Field Command
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Gates took all the credit for Arnold's successes, and wanted Washington's job.
The most influential person to corrupt Arnold against America, was none other than Peggy Shippen. the power of erections
Her family we're ardent Loyalists, as was she
If women really knew how much power they really have over str8 men, it would be a completely different social and political landscape
His shenanigans in Philly didn't actually help his cause.
Ironically Washington was traveling to see Arnold, to offer him another Field Command
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Enlightenedone1111
Benedict Arnold is my hero! he was a good man! of course one move tarnished everything but he got betrayed by America as usually America always turns their back to the most bravest men of course America always turns their back to their own! I fully understand now why Benedict Arnold did what he did because America is pure evil!
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Benedict Arnold is my hero! he was a good man! of course one move tarnished everything but he got betrayed by America as usually America always turns their back to the most bravest men of course America always turns their back to their own! I fully understand now why Benedict Arnold did what he did because America is pure evil!
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Scott
If not for Reed, and his threat to withdraw Pennsylvanian support from the Washington, if he didn't get his way on Arnold. And Washington not backing his subordinate against the false charges, Arnold would have probably wound up in command of Continental troops in the deep south. Instead of a traitor.
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If not for Reed, and his threat to withdraw Pennsylvanian support from the Washington, if he didn't get his way on Arnold. And Washington not backing his subordinate against the false charges, Arnold would have probably wound up in command of Continental troops in the deep south. Instead of a traitor.
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Jason
The only reason Britain thought Arnold was the only commander worth fearing is because he was an officer in the British army. They saw the American army as a peasant/farmer army. a. k. a a joke. The British army trained Arnold so of course they would think he's the only quality officer.
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The only reason Britain thought Arnold was the only commander worth fearing is because he was an officer in the British army. They saw the American army as a peasant/farmer army. a. k. a a joke. The British army trained Arnold so of course they would think he's the only quality officer.
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Lisa
I dont blame them for being passed. Most of the forefathers were hypocrites. They all owned slaves. Most of them believed in class difference. If you member at first nobody could vote unless they owned land. That was the belief in England and they brought it over here to America.
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I dont blame them for being passed. Most of the forefathers were hypocrites. They all owned slaves. Most of them believed in class difference. If you member at first nobody could vote unless they owned land. That was the belief in England and they brought it over here to America.
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Ross
In sharp contrast as to how the British had contempt for Benedict Arnold with the opinion of once a traitor, always a traitor. In 1800 when the news of the death of George Washington reached Great Britain, the British lowered their flags at half-mast to mourn his passing.
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In sharp contrast as to how the British had contempt for Benedict Arnold with the opinion of once a traitor, always a traitor. In 1800 when the news of the death of George Washington reached Great Britain, the British lowered their flags at half-mast to mourn his passing.
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Ken
Kinda sounds like people today, and really, throughout the course of humanity. Of course not with such fame and what not, but definitely nothing new under the sun. The past is the past. Better not look back too long, else one might trip over the present moment.
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Kinda sounds like people today, and really, throughout the course of humanity. Of course not with such fame and what not, but definitely nothing new under the sun. The past is the past. Better not look back too long, else one might trip over the present moment.
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Gay
Imagine if you stayed under British rule Americans would own almost all of North America and all of its resources, we would have been one gigantic and powerful country! But you wanted freedom, plot twist, Canada still has abortion rights! So does Mexico.
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Imagine if you stayed under British rule Americans would own almost all of North America and all of its resources, we would have been one gigantic and powerful country! But you wanted freedom, plot twist, Canada still has abortion rights! So does Mexico.
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Casey
You should do a video on the actual Hannibal. I've read that Hannibal's legacy as a military genius was a result of Roman propaganda. They didn't want to admit that anyone other than a godlike genius could invade the empire and seize Roman cities.
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You should do a video on the actual Hannibal. I've read that Hannibal's legacy as a military genius was a result of Roman propaganda. They didn't want to admit that anyone other than a godlike genius could invade the empire and seize Roman cities.
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Steven
Arnold was a true American badass. Steve McQueen of his time they Fk him every time he was successful they stole his thunder he was just as successful as Washington R. I. P Arnold we know the truth now you are a true American to me brother
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Arnold was a true American badass. Steve McQueen of his time they Fk him every time he was successful they stole his thunder he was just as successful as Washington R. I. P Arnold we know the truth now you are a true American to me brother
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johnny
You also have to add his wife = who was out to get him to turn traitor and helped convince him that Washington had turned on him. - which was not true. The breaking point was the false belief that Washington had betrayed him.
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You also have to add his wife = who was out to get him to turn traitor and helped convince him that Washington had turned on him. - which was not true. The breaking point was the false belief that Washington had betrayed him.
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Christopher
I've read in more than one place that Arnold's wife had a great deal to do with him becoming a traitor. Even that she was a borderline spy for the English crown. Great video, thanks Weird History always imformative
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I've read in more than one place that Arnold's wife had a great deal to do with him becoming a traitor. Even that she was a borderline spy for the English crown. Great video, thanks Weird History always imformative
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George
The Netflix series TURN: Washington's Spies has a pretty good depiction of Major Andrew, Benedict Arnold and the She-Devil that played between them a real hottie better than the whole rest of the series/stories!
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The Netflix series TURN: Washington's Spies has a pretty good depiction of Major Andrew, Benedict Arnold and the She-Devil that played between them a real hottie better than the whole rest of the series/stories!
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Lora
There is always two sides to every story. However turning coat I cant agree with, but I dont look upon him as a bad person. I think they should gave him a promotion and he probably would not of been a trader.
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There is always two sides to every story. However turning coat I cant agree with, but I dont look upon him as a bad person. I think they should gave him a promotion and he probably would not of been a trader.
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