The Individual Cause Of World War I

The individual level of analysis focusses on how individual people, such as a President or Dictator, influence international relations. The individual level cause of World War I, was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Page 77). The individual level cause of World War II was Hitler’s schemas and his rise to power (Page 106). The individual level of the Cold War was Stalin’s paranoia and exerted rhetoric (Page 129). Also, President Truman’s fear of the U.S. Isolation was another individual level cause of the Cold War. World War II and the Cold War individual cause is similar because of the fear and mistrust from other nations. This is a realistic assumption that human nature has a darker side and the international environment inspires

This is a clear representation of the dark side of humans as well as how Hitler has mistrust for other countries. That is one of the reason’s he was trying to expand Germany and create such a strong army. In the Cold War Soviets rejection to be a part of the United Nations created mistrust in the US eyes (Page 118-119). Soviet wanted to dominate in Eastern Europe, which is a sign of human nature’s dark side (greedy for power). The United States were taking part in collective security which is a sign of mistrust between nations. World War I, also used realistic assumptions, international politics is an autonomous sphere. World War I, was the result of many countries entering the war due to alliances (Page

The international system level cause of World War I, was the rise in German power (Page 77). The international system level cause of World War II was the unfinished World War I (Page 106). The international system level of the Cold War was World War II (Page 129). The similarities in the international system level causes is that international politics is not an autonomous sphere. This applies to all three wars. In World War I the rise in Germany had an effect on almost all countries in the world. This shows that the liberalistic assumption is right. Countries have a huge affect on other countries, the world is interconnected especially the political sphere and governing of countries. Also, World War II and the Cold War has previous wars as overall potential causes. Prior wars may leave nations in shambles, countries in power or countries with negative feelings towards