How were societies in Africa and the Americans both alike and different before contact with Europeans?

Answer 1

try wikipedia

Answer 2

I don't know that Africans were more violent before contact with Europeans than they are today. Infact, I think African societies are more violent today than they were say 600 years ago. This is because the proliferation of modern weapons has made it much easier to project violence than ever before.

I cannot speak for native American societies but as an African, I'll tell you some ways in which colonisation has affected traditional African societies.

1. Loss of Social Cohesion
Pre-colonial African societies were largely organised along tribal lines. With the coming of colonisation these tribal ties have been superceded by loyalty to new multi-ethnic "states". The problem is that the State has not delivered on the promises of modernisation. Therefore, there is a constant tug-of-war between loyalty to the State and loyalty to one's clan/ethnic group.

2. Development of a post-colonial ruling class
With the collapse of the colonial empires in the 50's and 60's a ruling class developed, which was educated in the West and was dependent on it for survival. The result: An alienation of the rulers from the ruled. The elite seem to have more in common with former colonial master than they do with the native peoples.

Answer 3

They were both more violent, living in mud huts, throwing spears at each other and eating the flesh of dead enemies.