I was going to include civilization, but that's a whole nother can of worms that can get messy really fast. Plus those Aztecs did understand how to build cities atleast. But even then they were still way behind compared to Europe. And they're a different beast compared to the even less developed ones up north who were still roaming around with teepees.
But why were the Indians so far behind with just sharp sticks and axes when Europeans already had guns, ships, cannons, massive cities, walls, literature, stonework, metallurgy, organized military, trade contracts, etc by the time the two made contact? I mean, the very fact that the Europeans were able to reach the new world by ship was itself an indication of the difference between the two groups.
I assume the tribes understood the concept of trading, and it shouldn't be too hard for someone to learn from their more advanced neighbors down south. Was the lack of written texts that prevented them from advancing?
I encourage you to check out the Pre-Columbian Americas FAQ. It should address your questions in many ways, but I'll specifically link this answer. I'll also just say: oceangoing ships, massive cities, walls, literature, stonework, metallurgy, organized military, and formalized trade very much did exist amongst various Amerindian groups before European contact. That is a simple point to make, but some of the FAQ questions you read will also address a more meta-level topic of how historians consider and understand technology, advancement, and technological advancement. I hope they help, and feel free to ask further questions!