In the face of the Spanish Civil War, which erupted in July 1936, various factions across Spain were forced to respond swiftly to the threat of fascism. In Catalonia, this culminated in the formation of the Central Committee of Antifascist Militias, which sought to consolidate the numerous existing militia groups into a more effective fighting force. This initiative reflected not only a strategic military response but also an ideological commitment to anarcho-syndicalism, which emphasized direct worker control and egalitarian social structures. The committee was composed of representatives from various labor unions, including the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) and the Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI), and played a crucial role in organizing local defense and maintaining order amidst chaos. Catalonia became a stronghold for anarcho-syndicalist thought during this period, impacting the local economy by advocating for collective ownership and self-management in industries such as agriculture and manufacturing.

Under this new structure, local and regional industries were reorganized to operate under collective management, empowering workers to collectively determine production goals and labor conditions. This form of organization not only aimed to challenge the existing capitalist framework but also provided a model of governance based on horizontal relations rather than hierarchical authority. The central committee managed to establish a semblance of order and coordinated defense, setting the stage for the various popular militias fighting against the nationalists led by General Francisco Franco. By the time of its establishment, the committee had to catch up quickly, as some militias had already been engaged in combat, thus demonstrating its essential role in the broader context of the civil war.