Down With American Imperialism - Chinese, Anti-War, Anti-Imperialism, Propaganda Hoodie

The text reads: “The Chinese people resolutely support the national-democratic movements of Asia, Africa and Latin America" at the top, and "Down with imperialism! Down with colonialism!” at the bottom.

This design originally comes from an anti-imperialist Chinese propaganda poster made in May 1960, by artists Cao Youcheng (曹有成) and Weng Yizhi (翁逸之), and published by Shanghai People’s Fine Arts Publishing House (上海人民美术出版社). The original poster belongs to a particularly intense phase in the People's Republic of China's effort to identify itself with anticolonial and national-liberation movements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. On 1 May 1960, Beijing's enormous International Workers' Day demonstrations prominently used virtually the same slogan, “Resolutely support the national-democratic movements of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America.” The phrase therefore situated the poster within a coordinated contemporary political campaign rather than simply expressing a longstanding abstract commitment to anti-imperialism.

The international setting made the slogan especially resonant. Decolonization was accelerating rapidly across Africa; Algeria remained engaged in its war for independence from France, African nationalist organizations were demanding an end to European rule, and the March 1960 Sharpeville massacre had brought renewed international attention to racial rule in South Africa. At the same time, the 1959 Cuban Revolution had transformed Chinese perceptions of Latin America, suggesting that revolutionary nationalism could challenge U.S. political and economic predominance even in the Western Hemisphere. Chinese statements from April 1960 consequently treated anticolonial struggles in Africa, revolutionary developments in Cuba, and nationalist movements elsewhere in Latin America as different manifestations of a common worldwide struggle against imperialism.

This interpretation was strongly articulated by Mao Zedong himself. On 3 May 1960, while receiving trade-union and women's delegations from fourteen Latin American and African countries and territories, Mao declared China's firm support for the “national-democratic movements” of Cuba and of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He explicitly identified “U.S. imperialism” as their common enemy and argued that these movements should support and unite with one another. Similar language appeared in mass demonstrations throughout China immediately afterward. In Shanghai on 4 May, more than 30,000 participants marched with placards and propaganda images while shouting, among other slogans, “People of the world, unite! Down with imperialism! Down with colonialism!” The latter two phrases correspond directly to the large slogans printed on this poster.

Broadly, the artwork documents an important transition in PRC foreign-policy ideology. By 1960, Beijing was increasingly emphasizing revolutionary movements in the developing world as an independent and potentially decisive force in world politics, rather than treating international affairs solely through the framework of the Soviet-led socialist bloc versus the Western powers.

I have carefully redrawn, recolored, restored, and refinished this art by hand in order to preserve this important piece of history

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to hit me up and let me know! I also do custom work, so if you want something specifically made, I can do just about anything!

*Dark color clothes may have a white underbase to enhance visibility, except for 'asphalt' and 'dark heather' colors, which are intended for a subtle, less visible print. Because of the fabric, the “white” color may be closer to a slightly off-white than bright white. The “natural” color option contains dark color speckles in the fabric, which do not show up clearly in the preview photos.

All clothing is unisex unless stated otherwise in the title or description.

Check the size guide before you buy. Custom printed clothing that is made-to-order is not eligible for return unless it arrives damaged or with some kind of problem.

• 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
Heather Sport Dark Navy is 40% cotton, 60% polyester
• Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle
• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem

Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.

Size guide