Heroes and Villains - Benedict Arnold and Social Mobility in the American Revolution

Explore the complex story of Benedict Arnold in this 49-minute lecture from Yale University's American Revolution course. Examine how regionalism, social rank, and gender dynamics influenced Arnold's trajectory from ambitious military officer to infamous traitor. Discover the Continental Congress's promotion policies and their impact on Arnold's career frustrations. Learn about Arnold's mounting debts and his fateful decision to aid the British. Uncover the details of the espionage plot involving Arnold, his wife Peggy, and British soldier John André. Analyze how the plan unraveled, leading to Arnold's escape, Peggy's strategic use of gender stereotypes, and André's execution and subsequent idealization. Gain insights into the social and political complexities of the Revolutionary era through this captivating case study.