Constant wars.

Constant warfare in Europe and Asia spurred technological innovations. Same with S. American natives.

But constant warfare can also work against you as we see with Africa and the Native Americans in North America which causes splintering.

That type of splintering can hinder unification and progress which is why eastern Europe still lags Western Europe and the Balkans will always remain a powder keg.

The same with a lot of countries in southeast Asia are splintered and why China, Russia and Japan will remain powerhouses in the future.