Benedict Describing Hatred Anger Arnold People Military Benedict's

Benedict Arnold was a "general" (military leader) in the army during the "Revolutionary War" when the land that would later become the United States fought for its independence from Great Britain. He worked very hard, was very successful, and was widely "admired" (very well liked) for his work as a general. Many people believe that we might have lost the Revolutionary War without his military "contributions" (the things that a person does for something, or the ways that a person helps something).

However, other generals "got credit" for many of Benedict's successes. They "got promotions" (received better positions) for their work, but Benedict was not able to "move up" (get a better position) in the army. At this same time, Benedict began to run out of money. These are probably the reasons "behind" (explaining) what happened next.

In 1780, Benedict was "given command" (put in charge of) a "fort" (a military place for defense) called West Point in New York. Once this happened, he secretly "switched sides" (began working for the other side of the war) and tried to find a way to give the fort to the British government. In other words, Benedict became a traitor.

Fortunately, Benedict's plan was discovered before he could "betray" (be disloyal to) the new American government. He ran away and moved to London, where he lived "in exile" (unable to return to one's own country) for the rest of his life. Today people remember Benedict Arnold as one of the most famous traitors in American history.