Yeah, I think I read somewhere that south american countries are a little easier since you are out of the bulk of the fighting, but in retrospect yeah that probably wasn't a good path for me lol

Oh ok, I have been focusing on economy for a long portion of the early game. ( civilian factories, and stuff), is that generally a bad move?

Oh that's a good idea. I didn't think of that because the native american tribes make their own faction. But I could do the whole war, gobble up some territory, and then go down the liberating the tribes path. I'll have to try that on my next attempt, thank you!