Answer:
D. | verb | taken the place of; succeeded
Step-by-step explanation:
"Take the place of" or "succeeded" would best replace the word 'superseded' in this passage.
It isn't A because there is no evidence in the passage to support this answer.
It isn't B because there is no evidence in the passage to support this answer.
It isn't C because to supersede does not necessarily connote defeat in a literal sense.
Hope this isn't confusing. Hope this helps! :D