I've tried to find more context about the two letters (1939 and 1940) that Gandhi sent to Hitler, but I still don't understand their purpose. Gandhi had been facing the British Empire for years, he knew that sweet admonishing letters would have no effect. Were they just for Public Relations? Absurd hope for a miracle? Or as a personal satisfaction?
And after reading a few comments: be cautious before idolizing Gandhi. Of course, he did great things, but he was not a saint. His stature in South Africa (where he worked as a British solicitor) is contested because of his racist opinions at the time. When I read Gandhi's memoirs, I was also shocked by his low consideration for women: he claimed he would kill his daughters rather than they were dishonoured ; he didn't care for what his daughters thought. He didn't care either for the women's feelings (and his wife) when he used to sleep with young girls, to test his repression of his sexual desires.
replies(1):