carried out, it would have to have the consent of the workers, for which a rally was called in the Las Arenas bullring. The rally was attended by around 25,000 workers and, on March 19, after Seguí's intervention at the rally, it was agreed to end the strike. Achievements This strike, which has been considered one of the most important strikes in the history of Spain, ended as a complete victory for the unions, as the workers of La Canadenca, drivers, textile workers and printers improved their employment terms. Among the improvements, the eight-hour day signed on April 3 stands out, because it made Spain the first country in the world to establish it by law. Moreover, the most aggressive currents of the workers were kept disciplined; in the forty-four days of the strike very few violent acts took place: a bomb and four murders, isolated events in the face of the pacifism of the majority of the workers. Lastly, it placed social issues in a prominent place within Catalan politics and made the CNT into one of the most influential organizations of Catalonia and Spain. Aftermath Five days after the victory in La Canadenca, on March 24, a general strike was declared again throughout Catalonia. The strike was triggered by the government's refusal to release all the people imprisoned during the first strike as agreed. This second strike was called after pressure by most intransigent groups, and while negotiations were still being held with the government. In this occasion the government responded more harshly, took out the army from the first moment and stationed machine guns and cannons in the streets. Paramilitary groups were also organized and authorized to open stores, supply the city and arrest workers. On April 3, the decree was promulgated that imposed the 8-hour day from October and afterwards, getting many workers to return to work, resulting in the strike's intensity declining until April 14, when it was concluded. However, the state of war and anti-union repression kept being present. One of the most imminent consequences was the creation of the Catalan Employers' Federation, in the hands of the most "intransigent" and "combative" employers, which was organized to confront the new trade unionism that maintained these strikes. Among the measures used against the unions were the lockouts, the blacklists and the massive dismissals of unionized workers. This situation led to anarchist action groups, nourished by