# Benedict Arnold

> army officer who betrayed America to the British during the Revolutionary War (1740–1801)

**Wikidata**: [Q298237](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298237)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/benedict-arnold

## Summary
Benedict Arnold was an American military officer who betrayed the United States during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), becoming a traitor to the Kingdom of Great Britain. His defection to the British in 1780 marked one of the most infamous acts of treason in American history, significantly weakening the Continental Army and contributing to the eventual defeat of the American forces.

## Biography
- Born: 1741 (exact date unknown)
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Unknown (no details provided)
- Known for: Betraying the American Revolution to the British
- Employer(s): Continental Army (1775–1780), British Army (1780–1783)
- Field(s): Military, Revolutionary War

## Contributions
Benedict Arnold served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His most notable contribution was his betrayal of the United States in 1780, when he surrendered Fort Ticonderoga and Fort St. Johns to the British. This act of treason weakened the American forces and allowed the British to gain strategic advantages, ultimately contributing to the eventual defeat of the American Revolution. Arnold later commanded British forces in the Southern Theater, including the capture of Savannah in 1782. His military leadership and strategic decisions during the war had a significant impact on the outcome of the conflict.

## FAQs
**What was Benedict Arnold's role in the American Revolutionary War?**
Benedict Arnold served as a major general in the Continental Army and later commanded British forces in the Southern Theater. His betrayal of the United States in 1780 weakened the American forces and contributed to the eventual defeat of the American Revolution.

**Where did Benedict Arnold serve during the war?**
Arnold served in the Continental Army from 1775 to 1780 and later commanded British forces in the Southern Theater, including the capture of Savannah in 1782.

**What was the significance of Arnold's betrayal?**
Arnold's betrayal of the United States in 1780 marked one of the most infamous acts of treason in American history. It weakened the Continental Army and allowed the British to gain strategic advantages, contributing to the eventual defeat of the American Revolution.

**What were Arnold's military achievements?**
Arnold's military achievements included the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga and Fort St. Johns to the British in 1780 and the capture of Savannah in 1782. His strategic decisions and leadership had a significant impact on the outcome of the American Revolutionary War.

**How did Arnold's actions affect the war?**
Arnold's betrayal weakened the Continental Army and allowed the British to gain strategic advantages, contributing to the eventual defeat of the American Revolution. His actions had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.

## Why They Matter
Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the United States during the American Revolutionary War had a profound and lasting impact on the course of the conflict. His actions weakened the Continental Army and allowed the British to gain strategic advantages, contributing to the eventual defeat of the American Revolution. Arnold's military leadership and strategic decisions during the war shaped the outcome of the conflict and influenced the broader narrative of the American Revolution. His legacy as a traitor continues to be a subject of historical debate and analysis, highlighting the complexities and moral dilemmas of the Revolutionary War era.

## Notable For
- Betraying the United States to the British during the American Revolutionary War
- Commanding British forces in the Southern Theater, including the capture of Savannah in 1782
- Weakening the Continental Army through strategic surrenders and military decisions
- One of the most infamous acts of treason in American history
- Significant impact on the outcome of the American Revolutionary War

## Body
### Early Life and Military Career
Benedict Arnold was born in 1741, though the exact date and place are unknown. He began his military career in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of major general. Arnold's early service included notable engagements such as the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, where his leadership played a crucial role in securing American victory against the British.

### Betrayal of the United States
In 1780, Arnold betrayed the United States by surrendering Fort Ticonderoga and Fort St. Johns to the British. This act of treason marked one of the most infamous moments in American history, weakening the Continental Army and allowing the British to gain strategic advantages. Arnold's defection was motivated by a combination of financial incentives, personal grievances, and a desire to secure his future.

### Command of British Forces
After his betrayal, Arnold commanded British forces in the Southern Theater, including the capture of Savannah in 1782. His military leadership during this period had a significant impact on the outcome of the American Revolutionary War. Arnold's strategic decisions and tactical prowess contributed to the eventual defeat of the American forces and the recognition of American independence by the British.

### Later Life and Legacy
Following the war, Arnold continued to serve in the British military and later in the United States Army. He died in 1801, leaving behind a complex and controversial legacy. Arnold's actions as a traitor remain a subject of historical debate and analysis, with his name often associated with treason and betrayal in American military history. His legacy continues to be studied and discussed in the context of the American Revolutionary War and its broader historical significance.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.varsitytutors.com/earlyamerica/lives-early-america/benedict-arnolds-portraits)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Integrated Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Geni.com
6. data.bibliotheken.nl
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. [Source](https://www.universalfreemasonry.org/en/encyclopedia/arnold-benedict)
10. SNAC
11. Find a Grave
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. Dictionary of Canadian Biography
14. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [Source](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/benedict-arnold-turned-traitor-american-revolution-180958786/)
17. [Source](https://www.intelligence.gov/evolution-of-espionage/revolutionary-war/british-espionage/benedict-arnold)