In 1917, Thomas Mann reflected on the significant events of 1914, a pivotal year for Germany that paralleled the French Revolution of 1789. This year marked the rise of the German cultural identity and the realization of its historic aspirations. Mann suggested that 1914 was a defining moment in the establishment of what would become known as German Kultur, underscoring the importance of this period in history.

During this time, a German scientist expressed a strong sense of national pride to American journalist Irwin Cobb while in a café in Aachen, claiming that Germans were the most dedicated, industrious, and educated people in Europe. This sentiment highlights the self-perception and confidence of the German people during a transformative period, reflecting their beliefs in their cultural mission and superiority at the onset of the Great War.