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Primary sourceLetter23 July 1939

Gandhi to Hitler

Mohandas K. Gandhi · 23 July 1939

A 1939 typed letter from Gandhi appealing to Hitler to prevent war, signed by Gandhi himself.

Gandhi wrote and signed this letter personally, appealing to Hitler using his method of non-violence.

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Typed letter dated 23.7.39 from Wardha, C.P., India, addressed 'Dear friend' to Herr Hitler, Berlin, Germany, appealing for peace. Signed in ink 'M.K. Gandhi' with 'Your sincere friend' above the signature.
Mohandas K. Gandhi, letter to Adolf Hitler, 23 July 1939.

About this source

What it is

This is a typed letter dated 23 July 1939, written by Mohandas K. Gandhi from Wardha, India, addressed to Adolf Hitler in Berlin. It is signed in ink by Gandhi.

Why it matters

The letter shows Gandhi extending his belief in non-violence and moral persuasion to the international stage, appealing directly to Hitler to avoid war. It raises questions, still debated by historians, about the limits and reach of non-violent appeal against a dictator preparing for war.

Look closer

  • Why does Gandhi call Hitler 'friend' even while warning him against war?
  • What does Gandhi mean by saying his method has had 'considerable success'?
  • Why might some readers find this letter hopeful, and others find it naive?

This letter is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Mahatma Gandhi on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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