Which theme best describes American history until 1877? A. From subjugation to freedom
B. From prosperity to poverty
C. Peace through diplomacy
D. The victory of tradition

The answer would be A. Up to this point had been the 7 years War, which had lead the a large land gain for the states, as well as the Revolution and the bid for independence from Great Britain. The later ideas of Manifest Destiny and spreading westward were also shows of growing independence, and then taking into account the Civil war, A. is most definitely the answer.