What do the writers of the Declaration of Independence highlight as the chief causes for the Revolution? What it meant by "Laws of Nature,"...

In the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, which are called the Introduction and Preamble, the writers explain the chief causes of the Revolution. The writers state that they are breaking away from Great Britain to have access to "the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them." This is a reference by natural law, an Enlightenment concept that declared that people have rights that they are born with (as opposed to human law, which are laws made by a certain society). 

Then comes the famous line: 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The term "self-evident" means that the statement does not to be proved. Instead, it follows from natural law that people are born with unalienable rights, which means rights that no government can take away. The idea of unalienable rights is connected to the idea of natural rights. During the Enlightenment, the idea of unalienable rights was extended to mean that rulers have to have the consent of the governed through the social contract. The phrase "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" comes from John Locke's idea that the government should protect life, liberty, and property. The second part of this paragraph revolves around the idea of the social contract. Since the king has violated his subjects' natural rights, they can overthrow him and establish a new government. The writers state that they are not throwing off the old government lightly but because they are living under "despotism." These rights did not extend to everyone in society at the time, as slaves and other people in the colonies (women, Native Americans, and others) were not granted the same rights as white men with property. For example, generally only white men with property could vote, even following the American Revolution.

In the next paragraph, the writers go on to list all the ways the king has violated the social contract. The rhetoric is effective because it follows the form of a legal indictment. It lays out the laws by which the colonists are going to indict the king and then lists the indictments against him. 

How would the life of Leonardo da Vinci compare to one's own life?

This particular question—how would the life of Leonardo da Vinci compare with one's own life—requires a little contemplation on the part of the student, along with an examination of the life of one of the great figures in human history.

Leonardo da Vinci is considered the quintessential "Renaissance Man." As much or more than any other figure from that period, the Renaissance, da Vinci personified the concept. He was an accomplished artist, scientist, inventor and visionary who excelled in all capacities. His most famous paintings, The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, are among the most respected works of art in human history. His study and sketches of human anatomy contributed to the development of medical science, and his concepts of rotary wing aircraft and armored vehicles were remarkably prescient and accurate for someone living during the 15th and 16th centuries. His interest in geology contributed to the understanding of earth sciences that would evolve in later periods, and his skills and intellectual curiosity led da Vinci down even more roads of scholarship and understanding in additional disciplines.

So, how would one compare oneself to such a historical figure as Leonardo da Vinci? We can start with his illustrious beard, about the only characteristic of da Vinci's to which most of us can hope to aspire. Beyond that, most people are fortunate to develop academically and professionally in any one of the myriad fields at which da Vinci excelled, let alone all of them. He was, basically, as eclectic a figure as mankind has ever produced. When comparing or contrasting oneself to da Vinci, then, one can begin with recognition of one's own academic aspirations and personal interests. How many of us are actually sufficiently curious in so many areas to devote substantial time to studying and researching those areas? Furthermore, how many of us who actually mirror da Vinci's eclectic interests could hope to excel in as many endeavors as this figure from the Renaissance period?

An assignment such as the one specified in the student's question requires some degree of self-awareness and some capacity for critical thinking. Study Leonardo da Vinci and consider ways in which you are similar and different. Are you curious about as many areas of science and engineering as da Vinci? Are you artistically inclined? Do you thirst for knowledge about religion and the humanities and politics? The key to this assignment is not to be an expert on Leonardo da Vinci, but to display the capacity for self-awareness. And, consider the personal costs you may pay for advancing concepts or theories that contradict accepted orthodoxy. It is an interesting assignment, but it requires the individual student to engage in analytical thinking about themselves. Nobody else can do that for you.

How did the imperialist system work for Great Britain?

Great Britain believed in the concept of imperialism. They wanted to control land beyond their borders so they could benefit economically, politically, and militarily.

When Great Britain established colonies, they wanted to profit from having these colonies. Great Britain wanted to use the resources found in their colonies to make products in their factories. They knew they could get the resources cheaper from their colonies than they could by purchasing them from other countries. The British would pass a series of laws requiring their colonies to buy certain products from Great Britain. These laws also required products to be transported on British ships. These laws would help the British benefit economically from having their colonies.

By controlling lands in different areas of the world, Great Britain would benefit politically and militarily. Great Britain would have control of areas around the world. This enhanced their status as a world power. They could also use these colonies as military bases if needed during times of war. The colonies also allowed the British to protect their world trade. British ships could stop and refuel and resupply in the ports of their colonies.

The British colonies served many purposes for Great Britain. The development of an imperialistic system was designed to benefit the British in many ways.

Why does the speaker stop by on the darkest evening of the year?

Though it is tempting to respond that it is impossible to know from the text precisely why the narrator of the poem has stopped, there is some evidence at the beginning that he's simply making sure of his surroundings: 

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

That is: Where exactly am I? I'm not near the village. How much longer before I'm home?

Once we've stopped and are looking around, however, the narrator takes the time to notice how striking the setting is--so much so that we might conclude that the narrator is not only determining his position in the world, he may also be trying to determine if he's actually awake. Is this scene real or am I dreaming?

The question seems to wonder about the relevance of "the darkest evening of the year." But is this actually the darkest evening of the year? The woods and the cloud cover likely make it seem so, but snow itself tends to reflect any light that might otherwise be available, making an otherwise dark evening seem rather bright. This seeming conflict of imagery adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, lending credence to the idea that the narrator has stopped and is trying to get his bearings--and wake himself up--before moving on.

Further evidence of his concern for staying awake for the rest of his journey are the repeated final lines:

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

He has his bearings now, and is awake enough to continue (though there is not actual movement by the time we reach the end of the poem other than the shake of the horse and the easy wind and the falling snow). Though we are left thinking that he must be moving on from here to keep his promises, there is some question: Perhaps this dream is more important than the promises; Perhaps just one more moment before setting off again.

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, what does the town’s response to the fire at Miss Maudie’s house reveal about Maycomb’s universe of...

In very small towns, such as Maycomb, the "universe of obligation" is thought of in terms of being neighborly and helping one another, especially in crucial times.

In the Deep South, which is part of what is called "the Bible Belt," people would think of this universe of obligation as simply being Christian. Therefore, they would "do unto others" as they would wish done to them. [Luke 6:31]. In other words, Miss Maudie's neighbors help her because such actions are neighborly and right. 

Another passage that the citizens of Maycomb follow in Chapter 8 is also from the Gospel of Luke:

And the crowds asked Jesus, “What then shall we do?” And He answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” [Luke 3:10-11]

Miss Maudie is certainly a person that the community feels is worthy of protection and help. Because she is an older woman who has no family living with her, she clearly needs assistance from others when her house catches on fire.

The old fire truck, killed by the cold, was being pushed from town by a crowd of men.

Unfortunately, when the men finally get the truck before the burning house, the hydrant water is so cold that it freezes in the hose, bursting the hose as chips of ice are sent "tinkling down onto the pavement." Apparently, all that can be done is to salvage Miss Maudie's furniture. Atticus carries out her heavy oak rocking chair, knowing this chair is what she values the most. Miss Maudie's boarder, Mr. Avery, throws his mattress from upstairs as well as some furniture. Soon, men shout to him that the stairs are going and he better get out; so, Mr. Avery barely squeezes himself through the window and tries to slide down a pillar, but he slips and falls into the shrubs. When the fire rages and threatens nearby houses, fortunately, the fire truck from a neighboring town arrives and pumps water onto the Finch roof and others. 

With her house a total loss, Miss Maudie receives the charitable offer from Miss Stephanie that she can live with her "for the time being." Grateful, Miss Maudie expresses her concern that her burning house has caused so much commotion and danger.

Which women will be featured on new U.S. currency and when will it be in circulation?

The famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman has been announced as the first woman to appear prominently on the front side of a newly redesigned U.S. twenty-dollar bill. She will replace the current image of former U.S. president—and slaveholder—Andrew Jackson. The final design for the bill is expected to be completed by 2020, with the bill being in circulation by 2030. Unfortunately, the official release date is not yet available, and will be determined by the Federal Reserve. Other prominent women and civil rights leaders will also be incorporated onto the back of a newly redesigned five-dollar and ten-dollar bill, also expected to be revealed in 2020. The back of the ten-dollar bill is set to include Sojourner Truth, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, while Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson, in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther King, will appear on the back of the newly redesigned five-dollar bill.

Hope this helps!

Who are the 3 most courageous characters in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Take your pick of characters.  The novel is loaded with courageous characters.  What's important about this type of question is that you explain a little bit about why you picked each character.  

For sure I would pick Atticus.  He is fully aware of the controversy that he is taking on when he is offered the Tom Robinson case.  He could have said "no" to the case too.  But he doesn't turn down the case.  He accepts it despite knowing that some of his friends will despise him for it.  That's courageous.  

"If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?"

"For a number of reasons," said Atticus. "The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again…Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one's mine, I guess."

I like to think of Tom Robinson as a courageous character.  He's smart enough to know that Atticus can't win the court case.  He knows the simplest and easiest way out of the entire situation is to confess a lie and hope for a lighter sentence.  He doesn't do that though.  He stands firm in his convictions and tells the truth through the entire trial.  

My third choice would be Jem.  He shows courage throughout the book, but two instances really stick out in my mind.  The first is in chapter one.  Dill bets Jem that he can't touch the Radley house.  Jem is terrified of that house, because of all the stories, but he does overcome his fear and touch the house. The other part that sticks out to me about Jem's courage is when he stands up with his father against the mob.  He defies his father and is willing to stand and fight against a large number of people. 

“Go home, I said.”

Jem shook his head. As Atticus’s fists went to his hips, so did Jem’s, and as they faced each other I could see little resemblance between them: Jem’s soft brown hair and eyes, his oval face and snug-fitting ears were our mother’s, contrasting oddly with Atticus’s graying black hair and square-cut features, but they were somehow alike. Mutual defiance made them alike.

“Son, I said go home.”

Jem shook his head.