Social and political changes all over Europe (First World War, Russian Revolution) inevitably made the - continually growing - Greek state assume new institutional roles, and intervene more actively in the social sphere. In this context, the state's 'social mission' was systematically projected as a principle of its legalization during the whole of the inter-war period by politicians of all parties, independently of its application. It took two forms: on the one hand, more active welfare for the grave social problems preoccupying the majority of the population, and on the other, the suppression of those thought to be plotting the overthrow of the existing social/political order.
In the case of Greece, then, social policy manifested itself in a number of areas such as housing, employment, salaries, social security and health. State intervention in social demonstrations was made evident through the creation of a strong and multi-faceted legislative framework to deal with any threat made against the constitution.