What factors contributed to the Cherokee being considered the most advanced Southeastern Native American group?

The Cherokee Nation is often considered the most advanced Southeastern Native American group due to their development of a written constitution and an elected government. This achievement illustrates their sophisticated political structure and social organization, which was comparable to contemporary European governments. The adoption of a written language, created by Sequoyah, allowed the Cherokee to document their laws, culture, and history, further enhancing their societal structure and educational practices.

In contrast, while population size and trade with Europeans were notable, these factors alone do not reflect the level of political and cultural advancement that the establishment of a constitution and governance represented. Their skills as hunters and warriors, though significant in their own right, do not embody the advancements in governance and literacy that distinguished the Cherokee from other Native American groups in the Southeast.