Gandhi's 1939-1940 Letters to Hitler Argue Non-Violence Could Match Nazi Force

In 1939 and 1940, Mahatma Gandhi sent two letters to Adolf Hitler, addressing him as "Friend" and advocating for peace through non-violent means. The initial letter, written in 1939, called on Hitler to avert war. The second correspondence, dated December 24, 1940, criticized Nazi beliefs, asserting that non-violence could effectively counteract violent aggression. Gandhi suggested establishing an international tribunal for resolving conflicts and made a similar appeal to Benito Mussolini. His position was shaped by his fight for Indian independence; he initially backed Britain against Germany but later perceived both as oppressive forces. After his public "To Every Briton" appeal in July 1940, Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement in 1942, which hastened independence in 1947. There is no record of Hitler's response.