The Big Historical Questions Thread!

[fight_professor]

Those who know me know that my first degree is in History. Modern History with a strong US and UK focus. I know lots of you are into history too. So this thread is for all the history 'what ifs' we like to discuss.

Q1:

Why did Benedict Arnold sell out?

Was it simply for money and out of frustration at being passed over for promotion?

Recently, I have been researching this and seems his wife was a Loyalist and may have (mis)guided him into treason?

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Didn't know you were a History buff. I love history man. In Mexico we have the equivalent to Benedict Arnold. It's a woman though, her name is Malinche and she was Hernan Cortez lover and is spoken of in the same way.

[fight_professor]

I love history man. I have strong interests in WW2, British Raj era, and US history from settlement until 1865 and then from WW2-end of CW.

I started a PhD in that ish and then dropped out (boredom, money). May take another shot at that PhD.

How a guy born in the UK of Pakistani stock becomes fascinated with colonial America is a different question! (It's a great story of rebellion for freedom, plots, intrigue - like a novel).

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

I love history man. I have strong interests in WW2, British Raj era, and US history from settlement until 1865 and then from WW2-end of CW.

I started a PhD in that ish and then dropped out (boredom, money). May take another shot at that PhD.

How a guy born in the UK of Pakistani stock becomes fascinated with colonial America is a different question! (It's a great story of rebellion for freedom, plots, intrigue - like a novel).

That's fantastic man. I have to ask you two questions.

#1 - Why so interested in colonial America

#2 - Do you think the role of America in WWII was as important as Americans make it.

I know long questions but if you can just answer them as short as possible.

[fight_professor]

Colonial America was first studied as part of British history. So I was introduced in HS classes. Then at college, I really developed a think for it. It's interesting to see how a new state develops from scratch - and then to throw of Imperialism in search for personal freedom, liberties and self rule. I have strong ********** tendencies (meaning not a fan of 'born to rule' systems - not that I root for the GOP), and just think its a great narrative of people fighting to be free.

It is sort of similar to how Pakistan became a state 150 years later - throwing of British colonial rule (except Jinnah did it through talks and not war).

As for WW2, the US was vital - obviously. It shed countless men and treasure to help defeat Japan and Germany. In the Pacific theatre, the US did it all pretty much. In Europe, Russia took the brunt of the fight.

My forefathers fought for the crown in WW2 (migrated to the UK in 1952 as part of a British Army resettlement offer for soldiers from South Asia) but that war was truly a global effort.

[squealpiggy]

Those who know me know that my first degree is in History. Modern History with a strong US and UK focus. I know lots of you are into history too. So this thread is for all the history 'what ifs' we like to discuss.

Q1:

Why did Benedict Arnold sell out?

Was it simply for money and out of frustration at being passed over for promotion?

Recently, I have been researching this and seems his wife was a Loyalist and may have (mis)guided him into treason?

He was already a traitor when he fought against the British. I think it reflects the fact that the American revolutionary war was not a pure fight against tyranny as you yanks are constantly taught, but an insurrection of people who considered themselves British against other people who also considered themselves British.

[Tay Roc]

Great thread, OP. History buff (and degree) here as well. Studied similar areas in college.

[Tay Roc]

He was already a traitor when he fought against the British. I think it reflects the fact that the American revolutionary war was not a pure fight against tyranny as you yanks are constantly taught, but an insurrection of people who considered themselves British against other people who also considered themselves British.

Constantly taught? Maybe in grade school children are taught in this format (as a means to make information understandable), but not in high school or college. Pretty ignorant comment.

I think the idea of a fight against tyranny was mostly propaganda to try and persuade loyalists prior to the war. It's no secret that a significant portion of the colonists were reluctant to start a war, and a decent chunk were loyal to the crown. I believe the transformation from "British colonists" to "Americans" was intrinsic and likely occurred as a result of the war beginning. So, I agree that your characterization is accurate, but at some point during the war, the colonists became "American."

[fight_professor]

He was already a traitor when he fought against the British. I think it reflects the fact that the American revolutionary war was not a pure fight against tyranny as you yanks are constantly taught, but an insurrection of people who considered themselves British against other people who also considered themselves British.

No, at one point Arnold was committed as any man to the Revolution. He fought and commanded troops with great distinction. Something happened - he was passed over for promotion a few times and his wife was a famous Loyalist close to British officers.

Or something else.

There is the famous narrative of GW crying when Arnold's betrayal came to his knowledge. So he was once deeply committed to be in GW's inner circle.

[fight_professor]

Great thread, OP. History buff (and degree) here as well. Studied similar areas in college.

Cool. History is a great first degree. Really opens your mind to ideas.