Western hemisphere native cultures would not have evolved to the same level of technical sophistication as Europeans if they had another 500 or 1,000 years. Social evolution wasn't about native intelligence, which wasn't lacking in either hemisphere. It's about resources, plant and animal and to a lesser extent, mineral. Read Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond for the concise 500 page explanation.

Funny thing is, I know Scott. He's a good fisherman.

Sg