Read Sources A and B

1. What do they tell you about Hitler's imperial ambition?

2. What do you think Mahatma Gandhi would have said to Hitler about these ideas?

Source A

‘For this earth is not allotted to anyone nor is it presented to anyone as a gift. It is awarded by providence to people who in their hearts have the courage to conquer it, the strength to preserve it, and the industry to put it to the plough… The primary right of this world is the right to life, so far as one possesses the strength for this. Hence on the basis of this right a vigorous nation will always find ways of adapting its territory to its population size.’
Hitler, Secret Book, ed. Telford Taylor.

Source B

‘In an era when the earth is gradually being divided up among states, some of which embrace almost entire continents, we cannot speak of a world power in connection with a formation whose political mother country is limited to the absurd area of five hundred kilometers.’
Hitler, Mein Kampf, p. 644.

1. In source A, Hitler argues that the earth is not a gift to anyone but is awarded to those who have the strength and courage to conquer and cultivate it. According to Hitler, a vigorous nation should adapt its territory to match its population size, implying a need for territorial expansion. In source B, Hitler criticises the notion of a world power with limited territorial space. This reflects his disregard for small states and suggests a desire for Germany to expand significantly to be considered a world power.
   Together, these sources indicate Hitler's belief in territorial expansion as a necessity for national strength and survival. He saw expansion as a means to provide for the population and achieve world power status, justifying aggressive conquest and colonisation.

2. Mahatma Gandhi would have fundamentally disagreed with Hitler's ideas on imperial expansion. He would argue that true strength lies in nonviolence, compassion, and justice, not in military might or conquest. He would have told Hitler that true progress and power come from cooperation, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence rather than domination and control. Mahatma Gandhi would likely have offered a strong moral rebuttal to Hitler’s imperial ambitions, promoting peace, justice, and the rights of all nations to live free from aggression and domination.