Benedict Arnold: Traitor? Hero? Both?

Does the treason of the Revolutionary War’s Benedict Arnold make him the worst traitor in history or was he an American hero? Was he both? We explain the military career, the plot to hand George Washington and West Point over to Andre, and the later life of one of the most infamous characters ever.
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ABOUT US:
Join brothers Brandon and Nevin on their crazy trip through time as they dive into some of the weirdest (but true!) and interesting bits of world history. Laughing Historically is an educational web show that’s teacher/classroom friendly and great for kids of all ages!
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TRANSCRIPT:
Lets talk about Treason (for no good reason) and a man that you probably think is the biggest *** ******* piece of *** in history.
Benedict Arnold?
Yeah. The name literally means traitor, right? But he actually was very pivotal in winning the American Revolution, and even British generals called him “the most enterprising and dangerous of all the American generals.”
But he was still an *******?
Yeah…
Like Washington, Arnold actually learned how to fight in the French and Indian war. By 1775, he was leading Connecticut’s militia. He captured one of the most important British forts, Fort Ticonderoga (it was so important, they even named pencils after it). He then went on to Montreal, almost made Canada the 14th state (Ooo President Trudeau...) built America’s first navy out of scraps to hold back the British, the best navy in the world.
And we’re just getting started.
In 1777, America won the battles of Saratoga, which was a major turning point, bringing the French into the fight. Although General Gates was officially in charge, it was really his second in command (guess who that was?) who is really credited for the win by blatantly disobeying orders.
What an *******.
In the process, Arnold’s leg was shot twice, the bullet removed a third of it. After some British colonial-era let’s call them “doctors,” had to do “surgery” had to rebuild his let’s call it a “leg,” it was two inches shorter than the other and in constant agonizing pain for the rest of his life. He had to use a cane!
So how was he rewarded? Thank to his STAR personality, Arnold hadn’t been properly promoted for his actions and sacrifice, also didn’t help that Gates taking much of the credit. (Gates and Lee were also ********).
And although Arnold started well-off when the war started, when he went off to fight, the British burned and stole all of his stuff in Connecticut. Meanwhile, America wasn’t exactly paying anyone (you can blame Thomas Mifflin, that *******’s grudge against Washington). Arnold started an illegal side business to support himself, causing him to be court martailed and removed from the field So, he was sent to command West Point. Before it was an academy, it was also a fort protecting the Hudson River.
So in 1780, 38 year old Arnold starts talking to the British after marrying 18 year old loyalist British spy Peggy Shippen, who links him up to her former boyfriend John Andre (hubba hubba, right ladies?). Andre convinces Arnold to hand over West Point and his once good friend George Washington.
Long story short, Arnold’s plon was a massive failure. Andre is caught on his way back to New York City with the plans for West Point. Washington is alerted on his way to visit his friend at Westpoint. Turning to his Lafayette, he says “who can we trust now?”
Arnold flees and joins the British, who also hate him for being a Traitor. Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Judas sold only one man, Arnold three million.”
Benedict Arnold would live the rest of his life continuing his trend of poor decisions. He moves to Canada to become a trader - not a traitor, he was already one of those. And Canada’s major customer big country to the south, hated his guts.
Today, the only monument to one of the greatest generals in American history, this brilliant solider is at Saratoga National Parl. And what is the monument in the shape of? A leg.
We didn’t say this was going to be a happy ending….
I just have one more thing, I’ve been watching the show Turn a lot.
At least some one’s watching it, right?
Well I just have a problem with it.
Don’t say it! Don’t. Don’t say it.
I just think it’s historically inaccurate.
No!!!