El Machete 04-28 1944  VOL. II (Cover)

"El Machete" was a groundbreaking example of politically charged print media in 20th-century Mexico, printed there are in the United States. Founded in 1924 by Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, it served as the official newspaper of the Mexican Communist Party and represented a revolutionary fusion of art and radical journalism. At a time when literacy rates were low, especially among the Mexican working class, El Machete used bold, illustrative designs and straightforward language to communicate powerful political messages about labor rights, social justice, and anti-imperialism.

Siqueiros and other artists employed a visually striking style in El Machete, drawing on the principles of Mexican muralism to communicate ideas through highly symbolic and expressive images. By incorporating bold black-and-white illustrations with sharp lines and clear contrasts, the publication drew in readers and reinforced its messages about oppression, class struggle, and revolution. These images often depicted workers with clenched fists, broken chains, and scenes of peasant life, making the struggles and aspirations of Mexico's working class visually immediate and accessible. This stylistic choice was also practical: large, simplified designs could reach a wider audience, effectively speaking to those who might not fully understand lengthy articles but could grasp the message visually.

The name El Machete itself symbolized both resistance and empowerment. The machete was a tool used by Mexico’s rural and urban working classes, especially in agricultural labor, and became a powerful emblem of the people's struggle against oppressive landowners and the government. This connection to the everyday lives of Mexican workers helped ground the paper’s revolutionary ideas in a familiar, relatable symbol.