Workers were often forced to take their protest onto the streets through demonstrations, strikes and urban uprisings. Conditions for the working classes were very hard - they had long working days, low wages, a lack of job security, etc. There was no social protection provision for old age or for when they were sick or unemployed. Such conditions led to a determined response. Social revolution, anarchy and socialism became the milestones to achieve, and the bourgeoisie and the state became the enemies to be vanquished. General strikes turned into the instrument of revolution par excellence. Public order forces and the army became the means of guaranteeing the established social order and were used to repress the rebellious working class.