海角大神

While he wasn't leading India's independence movement, Gandhi sought to be a peacemaker on the international stage.聽

In 1939 and 1940, Gandhi, who was known as "Mahatma," or "Great Soul," 聽sought to stave off World War II with two letters to Adolf Hitler.聽According to the Gandhi website聽MKGandhi.org, the first letter was written in late July 1939. It is a brief note where Gandhi聽conceded that Hitler was the one man in the world who could choose to avert war.

A month later, Nazi Germany signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union, on Aug. 23, 1939, which was followed by Germany's violation of the Munich Agreement by occupying Bohemia and Moravia. Within two weeks of signing the agreement with the Soviets, on Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II.聽

Not deterred by the outbreak of war, Gandhi wrote to Hitler a second time. By December of 1940, the Nazis had stormed across Europe, occupying France, to Scandinavia and as far eastward as Poland. This time, Gandhi wrote a much longer letter聽where he warned Hitler, "some other power will certainly improve upon your method and beat you with your own weapon. You are leaving no legacy to your people of which they would feel proud."

Gandhi once again refers to Hitler as "Friend," claiming that nonviolence leaves one without enemies.聽

"I own no foes. My business in life has been for the past 33 years to enlist the friendship of the whole of humanity by befriending mankind, irrespective of race, colour or creed," Gandhi wrote.

He continued, "I am aware that your view of life regards such spoliations as virtuous acts. But we have been taught from childhood to regard them as acts degrading humanity. Hence we cannot possibly wish success to your arms."聽

There is no evidence to聽suggest Hitler ever responded to either of Gandhi's letters.