20 points for each answer!
what do the conflicts in xinjiang, chechnya, and quebec have in common, and how do they differ?

In all 3 areas, the ethnic minorities were trying to achieve some sort of degree in autonomy or independence. In Quebec the movement is very peaceful and friendly, also very political, and some people are very satisfied with the right of language in the Canadian Confederation.
In Xinjiang the Uighur minority wanted independence from china, reason? Because of the major lack of political problems.
And lastly, in Chechnya (and only there) they have the independence movement that spread to the civil war with terrorism and also in other parts of russia. So it is prettys confusing once you think about it, but after all it's simple. :P 

Early in the story when tom finds an indian skull in the woods which he kicks in temper. the devil then makes his appearance and, as tom surveys him, he notices that the devil is neither "negro" nor "indian." in fact, he has a "swarthy" complexion and is "begrimed with soot."