Matthew Powell
@matthew-powell
Matthew Powell, an award-winning historian of slavery and southern history, has worked as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service in Montana and Tennessee. He served as the Executive Director of the La Pointe – Krebs House and Museum in Pascagoula, MS. He is currently an AP (Advanced Placement) history teacher in Arizona. As a historian, Matthew has published several articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, lectured at several prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins, appeared on PBS, and as a guest on the Ben Franklin’s World Podcast. In 2020, he earned the John W. Odom Memorial Award for his research on slavery and his contribution to the field of history.
7 Facts About the Second Continental Congress (1775)
The Second Continental Congress met after militia clashed with British troops. They organized a Continental Army and declared independence, orchestrating the United States.
7 Facts About the First Continental Congress (1774)
The First Continental Congress united twelve colonies in 1774 to protest British rule. It paved the way for the American Revolution.
William T. Sherman, the Union General Who Marched to the Sea
William T. Sherman was a Union general whose military campaigns helped win the Civil War and shape modern warfare.
The Black Codes That Controlled the Freedmen’s Lives
The Black Codes were laws passed after the Civil War in the South that stripped African Americans of freedom, turning criminality into legal slavery.
Why Nathan Bedford Forrest Remains One of America’s Most Divisive Figures
Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate general, slave trader, and Klan leader. He is one of the most controversial figures in American history.
Who Was Stonewall Jackson? The Confederate General Who Became a Legend
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a major military figure during the Civil War. Despite his premature death in 1863, he left a lasting impact on American military history.
The Story of the Union General Who Trained an Army He Refused to Use
George McClellan was a Union general during the Civil War and is remembered for his lack of success during the early years of the conflict.
What Did the Emancipation Proclamation Do?
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, declared enslaved people in the Confederate States, free.
What Was Black Wall Street? History & Legacy
Black Wall Street, Tulsa’s thriving segregated Greenwood District, showcased African American resilience until a brutal massacre shattered its legacy and altered the history of Tulsa.
The Battle of Shiloh: A Battle in Two Parts
The Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) saw intense combat and shifting tides, resulting in nearly 24,000 casualties, but no decisive victor.
The Fight for Equality: A History of the A.M.E Church
The A.M.E Church has fought against white supremacy for much longer than you may think.