Why do Americans call Benedict Arnold a traitor?

Answer 1

Benedict Arnold was a top American general. He defeated the British in at least one major battle. But he also had an ego on him. He believed he should have been the head of the colonial army. When he was passed over in favor of George Washington, he turned traitor. He was sent to defend West Point, but instead he handed it over to the British. He escaped to Great Britain, thinking he would be welcomed by them as a hero. Instead, he found they turned their back on him, since he had betrayed his own people. He ended up dying penniless on an island off the coast of Great Britain.

Answer 2

Where are you from? We call Arnold a traitor for leaving our side and fighting for the enemy when we were fighting to be a free country. I agree with everyone else here. We cal him a traitor simply because he was and there are no better words to describe him afterwhat he did. Are you British or something? Even Canadians don't ask questions like that and we piss them off regularly as all good neighbors do for each other.

Answer 3

Remember that history is written by the victors, and the American Revolution was won by the colonists. Had the opposite been true, then Arnold probably wouldn't have gotten such a bad rap--but you must admit that it's significant that those to whom he was willing to betray his country didn't have much use for him either!

Answer 4

Because he changed sides in the war of independence, a thing particularly painful to the Rebels because he had been on of THEIR heroes before he saw the error of his ways.

Answer 5

He sold out his command to the enemy in a time of war. What else would you call him?

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold

Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Because he was.

Answer 8

because he was