Which disease traveled from the New World back to Europe in the Columbian Exchange?

• A. Syphilis
• B. Smallpox
• C. Measles
• D. Influenza

Answer: (A)

The question tests how diseases moved between worlds in the Columbian Exchange. Syphilis is the disease that traveled from the New World back to Europe. After contact with the Americas, outbreaks of syphilis appeared in Europe in the late 15th century, spreading widely as Europeans returned home from voyages and military campaigns. This contrasts with diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, which were introduced from Europe to the Americas and caused severe epidemics there. So the standout fact is that syphilis likely originated in the Americas and moved to Europe, illustrating the bidirectional but distinct paths of disease diffusion in this period.