About
The following site is a current prototype for an Omeka site dedicated to Benedict Arnold.
Many have forgotten that Benedict Arnold was once an American hero. On several occasions, Arnold took gallant strides as a military general. Notably, Arnold was applauded for his actions at Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Champlain, and the Battle of Saratoga. However, his heroic actions do not compensate for his betrayal of the Revolutionary cause. Arnold betrayed the cause when he entered secret negotiations with Great Britain to hand over West Point, a pivotal American fort.
After his attempt to hand over West Point, Arnold defected to the British and became a brigadier general. As brigadier general, he led invasions into the colonies. By defecting to the British, Benedict Arnold made a name for himself as America’s greatest traitor while also playing a role in solidifying the American National identity. The proposed project will serve to demonstrate in what ways Arnold’s image was used to reinvigorate and solidify the success of the American Revolution.
Consequently, it will serve as an example as to how members of a nation can be tossed out and exemplified for the sake of a national cause. This type of exemplification has been repeated throughout history with the antagonisms of public political figures as well as the targeting of minorities in times of extreme disarray to preserve the national community.