The American Hero In Benedict Arnold's War

601 Words3 Pages

Money makes the world go round, and for some, may be their primary motivation for everything. Benedict Arnold, a british spy and American traitor during the American Revolution, is a fitting example of somebody motivated by greed and money. Not only did he betray his close friend, General George Washington, but betrayed his country as well. Due to his arduous childhood as well as his instinctual itch for power, he has gone down in history as a one of America 's greatest generals, and renegades. In spite of the fact that most Americans are able to share opinions of hatred for Arnold, he did a great deal for America before switching sides. Not only did he show an ample amount of leadership skills, but he was immensely known for giving the American soldiers a morale boost. These soldiers, fighting alongside him at Saratoga, claim that he was “riding on front of the lines, his eyes flashing, pointing his sword two the advancing foe, with a voice that rang clear as a trumpet and electrified the line.” Arnold was able to effectively encourage the soldiers, placing them in appropriate moods …show more content…

With that, he would sell it to others that were in association with the British. “Money is the man 's God…,” American officer, Brown, writes, “.....and to get enough of it he would sacrifice his country.” Major John Andre, the man responsible for Arnold 's switch, and Arnold, wrote several letters back in fourth discussing further plans for Arnold 's spy career. The two used a distinctive coding mechanism in hopes of hiding their secrets. In one of the letters, Arnold says: “I shall communicate to our mutual friends strongy all the intelligence in my power.” In that, he is referring to America 's secrets and sharing them with Britain. Before being caught in this misconduct, Arnold was successfully able to help the British army, giving them advantages the Americans did not

Open Document