Benedict Arnold Commits Treason at West Point
By the summer of 1780, the American Revolutionary War had dragged on for five years, with General George Washington relying heavily on trusted officers like Benedict Arnold, a hero of earlier battles such as Saratoga. Arnold, embittered by perceived slights, financial troubles, and a Loyalist wife, secretly negotiated with British forces to surrender the strategic fort at West Point on the Hudson River. On September 21, Arnold met British Major John André at the Joshua Hett Smith House to finalize plans for handing over the fort and its garrison in exchange for money and a British command. The plot unraveled when American forces captured André carrying incriminating documents the next day, forcing Arnold to flee to British lines. Washington expressed profound shock at the betrayal by one of his most capable commanders, and Arnold later led British raids in Virginia and Connecticut before settling in England.
Why it matters: Arnold's defection exposed vulnerabilities in the Continental Army's command structure during a critical phase of the Revolution and became a lasting symbol of treason in American culture. It prompted heightened security measures around key fortifications and underscored the personal costs of divided loyalties in the fight for independence. The episode reinforced the narrative of American resilience, as the plot's failure preserved a vital defensive position on the Hudson.