Events Benedict Arnold Affected Ever since the turnover of the West Point American fort, Benedict Arnold’s name has become synopsis with the word ‘traitor’. However, before this was the case, Benedict Arnold was actually an American war hero, assisting the Patriots and their ‘call’ for freedom (Benedict, 2009). There are five major events where Arnold helped shape the outcome of the Revolutionary War; The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the Battle of Quebec, the Battles of Lake Champlain, and the Negotiations of West Point.
The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga When the Massachusetts Committee of Correspondence learned of Arnold’s knowledge of Ticonderoga being poorly guarded and full of ammunition, they commissioned him as a coronel. “Ticonderoga was also vitally important due to its locations as it was situated on Lake Champlain and provided nice staging grounds for an assault on Quebec” (Yost, 2011). The Fort …show more content…
A combination of his wife, Peggy Shippen’s Loyalist views, debt from his lavish lifestyle, and his resentment felt for not being promoted quicker were what changed his once pro-Patriot mind to support the British. While commanding the American fort at West Point, Arnold “transferred money to British forces and passed on information that would aid the British in capturing West Point, while weakening the fort's defenses and thinning out its supplies” (Uva, 2012). He started secret consultations with the Loyalist side to gain money and a command in the British army in exchange for West Point. However, Bendict’s chief intermediary British Major John André was captured “while crossing British and American lines”, leaving Bendict fleeing before he could be arrested, and West Point in America’s hands. Even after all his troubles, Arnold only received a part of his previously promised reward (Benedict,