Benedict Arnold & Dishonor: Heroes and Villains
Why is acting dishonorably destructive to a healthy political system and civil society? Explore the story of Benedict Arnold in this video feature of BRI's Heroes and Villains Curriculum to help determine how he exhibited the vice of dishonor.
Heroes and Villains uses narratives to discuss the concepts of civic virtue in all classrooms. Each virtue narrative includes corresponding discussion guides, journal templates, a toolbox with additional activities, and suggestions for further reading on each topic or virtue.
0:08 Honor. It’s an unwavering commitment to integrity and trustworthiness. This kind of character is essential for self-government. But when leaders exhibit dishonor by being untrustworthy, they can weaken that shared responsibility and the country. This is the story of Benedict Arnold, a Revolutionary War general
0:30 who would become a symbol of dishonor, a traitor who betrayed his country. For the first six years of the American Revolution, Arnold proved to be a valiant and skilled leader in the Continental Army. He fought bravely during the American invasion of Canada and was wounded, but would later secure a vital strategic victory at Saratoga
0:52 that led to the French alliance. But Arnold, the once courageous leader, became discontented and clashed with his colleagues in command. He also gained a reputation for being greedy. In 1777, Arnold was so angered at being passed up for promotion to the rank of major general, he tendered his resignation, but George Washington,
1:14 Commander of the Continental Army, refused to accept it. And in 1780, when he was given command of Fort West Point on the Hudson River, Arnold rewarded Washington’s confidence with betrayal. He had secretly negotiated with the British to hand over Washington and the fort in exchange for a senior command in the British army
1:35 and £20,000 sterling, if successful. Arnold’s conspiracy was ultimately foiled by the Patriots, after which he fought on the side of the British and then fled to England. Arnold traded his character and service to the cause of liberty for money and dishonor. His name became synonymous with betrayal, and he died in obscurity.
1:57 In a republic, honor creates trust among citizens and with their leaders and maintains our belief in our institutions, while dishonor destroys that trust and breaks the ties that bind us together in a common cause. Why is honor an important civic virtue in a self-governing society?
