Leadership: Typically led by a chief or headman who held limited authority and whose role was primarily symbolic and ceremonial.
Decision-making: Decisions were reached through discussions and consensus among a council of elders, often made up of experienced men in the community.
Social Organization: Kinship ties and relationships were central to social organization and cooperation.
Large Native Groups:
Leadership: More complex societies had formalized hierarchical structures with powerful rulers or kings. The ruler exercised substantial political and military authority and often had a well-defined bureaucracy.
Decision-making: Leaders had absolute decision-making power but might consult trusted advisors, military generals, and religious officials on policy matters.
Social Organization: Stratified social systems divided society into classes based on birth, wealth, occupation, or military achievements.