Final answer:
The challenge presented is that Americans often try to assign monetary values to items with sentimental or historical value, which is difficult due to the intrinsic worth of cultural and historical significance beyond material wealth.
Step-by-step explanation:
North Americans try to assign monetary value to commodities, including items with cultural and historical significance; however, there are challenges with attempting to convert sentimental value or historical significance to monetary value. While European colonization was driven by the search for material wealth and glorification of nations, it often disregarded the intrinsic value of the cultures and societies that were conquered. In a similar vein, corporate colonialism and the spread of American culture have sometimes been at odds with preserving unique traditions and heritage.
The advent of capitalism and technological advancement in European and American societies led to a worldview that material wealth was a principal measure of success. Yet, this perspective clashes with other cultural values, such as those of Native Americans, who often viewed land and items not as individual possessions but as communal resources with personal and spiritual meanings.