In the year 1777
Benedict Arnold's decision to become a spy for the British (and otherwise collaborate with them against the American colonists) appears to have been made in 1778 -- one year after the Battle of Saratoga. This was the year that he was investigated by the Continental Congress for financial irregularities; he was also once again passed over for promotion around this time. It was not until 1780, however, that his new allegiance was discovered by the American colonists.
Saratoga was the pivotal battle. Franklin was able to use the victory to convince France to become America's ally. Later-traitor Benedict Arnold was one of the heroes of the battle, receiving a wound that he carried the rest of his life. A statue to an anonymous hero of Saratoga honors his actions in the battle.
Because he thought he was better than George Washinton so he got convinced by his wife that If he joins the british he will become 2nd in command.
Benedict Arnold and his troops created America's first navy out of wilderness in 1776. It was with this navy that the Americans fought the Battle of Valcour Island. More importantly though, Benedict Arnold's greatest contribution to the United States was his leadership and bravery during the Battle of Saratoga. Without Benedict Arnold, the Battle of Saratoga would have been lost; France probably wouldn't have come to America's aid; and Americamight not have become a country. Benedict Arnold did so much for the United States. He shed blood for this country twice! He put his life on the line by serving the American Cause. Not only did he give some of his own money to the Cause, but he gave his brilliant military skill to the American Revolution. Benedict Arnold's role in the making of America is a large one, and that is why he should be remembered as a hero more than as a traitor.
He was a General who originally fought for the Patriots, leading them to a deceisive victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 that convinced France to aid us in are war for Independence, being shot in the leg in the process. But he would later become a traitor and join up with the British and attempted to give them the defense plans to West Point.
Benedict Arnold was a General that lead part of the army of rebels in the taking of Bunker Hill and the Fort Ticonderoga. He switched side from the colonist to the British after being indebted to the congress and being passed up for multiple promotions.
Benedict Arnold became a traitor because he did not agree with America.He was a great general and will always be remembered. Benedict Arnold was dissatisfied with his treatment by the Congress and other army officers, feeling he was not getting the recognition he deserved for his part in major battles, like the one at Saratoga. He then approached the British with a plan to turn over the American fort at West Point, New York to the British. West Point was extremely important to the colonists because it commanded the Hudson River and prevented British warships from sailing down from Canada and cutting the New England colonies off from the rest of the colonies. When the plan was found out, he escaped to England and became an officer in the British army. At Saratoga, Arnold had played a major role in the winning of the battle and was even wounded in the leg. Horatio Gates took the honors though. Later, a comment was made by colonial soldiers about Arnold to the effect that if they ever caught him,he would be hanged as a traitor but that the leg that was wounded at Saratoga would be cut off and buried with full military honors. He was considered a traitor in 1779.
Battle of Saratoga
His reputation in the US has become tied with the word traitor. But he lived a comfortable life in retirement in England. I'm doing a project on Benedict and I need to know more than he was a traitor! -14seneca5de
After he married a Loyalist woman who changed his views on things.
it convinced the french to become the American's allies
France became allied with the future United States after the Battle of Saratoga.