So I just watched Pocahontas with my neice. Its easily the best disney film in terms of morals, all about looking after the world, not judging people, love and forgiveness etc.
It got me think how different the world would be if we hadn't done our best to exterminate the natives, or if we hadn't even traveled there until much later.
Then I got thinking again, why the hell were we so much more technologically advanced? What was it that split us apart in that sense? We are from the same ancient heritage, except the Europeans had giant ships, guns, metal armour and weapons, advanced building techniques etc etc. I know the natives technology is under estimated in history books with places in mexico having some seriously impressive farming and building techniques, but it seems nothing like what the Europeans were developing.
Why were we so advanced, and what would have happened if we didn't intercept their time line?
EDIT
"Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest, come taste the sun sweet berries of the earth, come roll in all the riches all around you, and for once never wonder what they're worth"
"You think the only people who are people, are people who look and think like you, but if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew"
That is why its the best damned disney film ever
This is basically the question Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond tries to answer and I'd say he does so pretty effectively. Despite many criticisms of his work the underlying hypotheses is unrivaled as far as I know (unrivaled as in there is no competing hypothesis). This is such a huge question that you really won't be able to find a satisfying answer in a reddit comment, this isn't something that can just be ELI5ed in a single sitting. Complex historical systems ranging from Human and Physical Geography, biology, pathology, anthropology, all played a role in determining the course of history and the way these interact is incredibly intricate. That's why I recommend Guns, Germs, and Steel if you really want a satisfying answer to this question.
If you want to better understand pre-contact native americans and how contact changed both the old world and the new I'd recommend 1491 and 1493 by Charles Mann.
This should help you. From our FAQ on this topic.
hi! you can get started on the question of technology with the first few posts in this section of the FAQ
as for "what would have happened", you'll have to take that question to /r/HistoricalWhatIf : hypothetical questions are not permitted in this sub.