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More complicated in some ways but also surprisingly similar in that he would rather see his country burn than see someone else get credit for it's success.

by JustLurking2022 4y ago

smcl 4y ago
Many people here will remember what they learned or heard, and instinctively downvote because they believe Arnold was a traitor through and through, and that it's not worth considering anything otherwise. But as I recall he was a relatively successful officer in the US army in the war of independence. But he'd been overlooked within the US military (and incurred financial losses to boot) which make his decision to work with the British a bit more understandable. Looking back in hindsight with the USA as a distinct and separate nation, it looks like he's betrayed the nation of his birth ... but in the context of a civil war where there are two factions broadly of the same "nationality" fighting for independence it's a little more complex than that
- JustLurking2022 4y ago
  I am both aware of those circumstances, and considered them. At the end of the day, Saratoga was won by hoards of soldiers largely anonymous to history, and yet they didn't betray their country for lack of credit. On the balance, Arnold's motives appear self-serving, and his willingness to betray his allegiance for a seemingly better deal made him a traitor.
- rootusrootus 4y ago
  Eh, he tried to sell a military fort (West Point) to the British for what would be about $5M today. I don't care how butthurt he was over a lack of recognition (he was a Major General, FFS), he earned the "traitor" moniker 100%.
- chasil 4y ago
  If I read this correctly, Arnold was responsible for the victory of Saratoga, but public accolades were given to Horatio Gates, who would later prove completely incompetent (and something of a coward at Camden). https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Gates https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Gates It does appear that Benedict Arnold did greater service to the United States than the harm of his betrayal.
  - ncmncm 4y ago
    He tried to do a lot more harm than he succeeded at. Had it worked, it is not clear the colonies would have won in the end.

More complicated in some ways but also surprisingly similar in that he would rather see his country burn than see someone else get credit for it's success.

smcl 4y ago

Many people here will remember what they learned or heard, and instinctively downvote because they believe Arnold was a traitor through and through, and that it's not worth considering anything otherwise. But as I recall he was a relatively successful officer in the US army in the war of independence. But he'd been overlooked within the US military (and incurred financial losses to boot) which make his decision to work with the British a bit more understandable. Looking back in hindsight with the USA as a distinct and separate nation, it looks like he's betrayed the nation of his birth ... but in the context of a civil war where there are two factions broadly of the same "nationality" fighting for independence it's a little more complex than that

JustLurking2022 4y ago
I am both aware of those circumstances, and considered them. At the end of the day, Saratoga was won by hoards of soldiers largely anonymous to history, and yet they didn't betray their country for lack of credit. On the balance, Arnold's motives appear self-serving, and his willingness to betray his allegiance for a seemingly better deal made him a traitor.
rootusrootus 4y ago
Eh, he tried to sell a military fort (West Point) to the British for what would be about $5M today. I don't care how butthurt he was over a lack of recognition (he was a Major General, FFS), he earned the "traitor" moniker 100%.
chasil 4y ago
If I read this correctly, Arnold was responsible for the victory of Saratoga, but public accolades were given to Horatio Gates, who would later prove completely incompetent (and something of a coward at Camden). https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Gates https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Gates It does appear that Benedict Arnold did greater service to the United States than the harm of his betrayal.
- ncmncm 4y ago
  He tried to do a lot more harm than he succeeded at. Had it worked, it is not clear the colonies would have won in the end.