It's hard to imagine 2 more contrasting historical figures. One is considered to be one of the most (if not *the* most) peaceful men in history, and the other will be hated forever for starting a war that killed 50 million people.
By 1939, it seemed that the world was headed for a war of a really large scale. Thinking he could make a difference, Gandhi's friends urged him to write to Hitler and dissuade him from making the mistakes he was about to make.
His letter was simple, to the point and only a couple of paragraphs long, Gandhi told Hitler that he was the one person who could prevent the war that could reduce humanity to savagery. After asking him to listen to "the appeal of one who has deliberately shunned the method of war," he even apologized if his letter was an inconvenience! What's most striking to me is that he opens and closest the letter by calling Hitler his friend. I think it's a reflection of Gandhi pacifism that he considers everyone his friend; however some might say it's just a formality. What do you think?
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