The Effects of Arnold's Treason

The name Benedict Arnold has become synonymous with treasonous actions. This is one of many effects that followed Arnold's treason, some that Arnold could not have imagined.

One of the main effects of Arnold's treason is that people began to distrust others. This included people who had been beyond reproach. American General George Washington had entirely trusted Arnold prior to learning about Arnold's plans to hand West Point over to the British. This made Washington question his ability to judge. A general named Marquis de Lafayette was with Washington and some others the rest of that day. Though these men had previously considered the others completely loyal, Arnold's betrayal changed their attitudes that night. Lafayette wrote that “Gloom and distrust seemed to pervade every mind” as they all avoided making eye contact in the hours after the plot came to light.

Other people were...