Who Finally Betrayed the American Army and How Did He Try to Help the British?

The American army was ultimately betrayed by Benedict Arnold, a former hero of the Continental Army, who made secret overtures to the British and actively sought to undermine the American war effort. His efforts to aid the British involved providing intelligence and attempting to surrender a crucial American stronghold.

Benedict Arnold's Treacherous Acts

Benedict Arnold's betrayal unfolded over several key instances, revealing his intent to assist the British military against the American forces. His actions were calculated to provide strategic advantages to the British, ranging from intelligence leaks to a direct offer to surrender a vital fortification.

His primary methods of attempting to help the British included:

• Initiating Secret Communications (May 1779): Arnold began his treason by making clandestine contact with British headquarters in May 1779, signalling his willingness to betray the Continental Army.
• Intelligence on Canadian Invasion (1780): In 1780, he informed the British about a proposed American invasion of Canada, providing them with critical intelligence that could have allowed them to prepare defenses or counter-strategies.
• Attempted Surrender of West Point (1780): Perhaps his most infamous act, Arnold offered to surrender West Point, a strategically vital fortress in New York, to the British. This crucial stronghold commanded a significant position on the Hudson River, and its capture would have severely hampered American supply lines and troop movements. He sought a payment of £20,000 for this act of betrayal.

These actions highlight the depth of his treachery and his calculated efforts to undermine the American cause for personal gain.

Here's a summary of his key attempts to aid the British:

Benedict Arnold's name became synonymous with treason in American history due to these significant attempts to sabotage the Revolutionary War from within.