The breakup of irregular armed forces from the revolutionary period, and the organization of a regular army under conditions which prevented the participation of the old chieftains and the armed men who caused discontent in a social milieu, constituted, in Central Greece in particular, one of the most powerful local elites. This fact, combined with the disorganization of local centres of socio-political power and the foundation of centralized administrative mechanisms, very soon created an atmosphere of tension in the provinces. In many cases, this tension sparked revolts of a local character, which broke out during the first months following the arrival of Otto. Revolts broke out in Mani, Messinia and Arcadia in 1834. Especially in Mani, the conflicts - which lasted for months - between local people and Bavarian troops sent to establish order (a task at which they failed), caused the Regency to proceed to a series of concessions which, up to a point, recalled the privileged regime which this province enjoyed during that period of Ottoman rule. Thus, the inhabitants of Mani were freed from obligations, the payment of taxes, service in the regular army and the pulling down of towers in order to transform them into plain residences, whereas for this province, the law pertaining to the closing down of monasteries was not applied.

In Central Greece, a region with a powerful tradition of klephts and armatoles, the first important rebellion broke out in Aetolia and Acarnania in 1836. Its leaders were famous captains from both the rebelled part and the part sent to oppress them. The Bavarian troops' failure to suppress the rebellion of Mani and the pursuit of bandits in Central Greece (1835) caused the Regency to deal with the issue differently. Veteran chieftains were recalled to form troops of irregulars, as they were familiar with the area and the war tactics of guerillas (guerilla warfare). This event, which was consolidated as the forces of the National Guard and Frontier Guard were formed, constituted a 'concession' on the part of the central authority towards local elites; especially to the captains, who foresaw in the formation and operation of such forces that were staffed with local people, the possibility of regaining their power at a local level.

During 1847-48, important revolts also took place. Officers who had apparently fallen into disfavour after I. Kolettis's death (1847) had a leading role in them. The conflicts in Eastern Central Greece in the spring of 1848, when guerillas besieged the city of Lamia though without success, were particularly tense. The fact that elements of the Frontier Guard and the army were incorporated among the classes of guerillas, is remarkable. On the other hand, some of the officers who had been leaders in the previous year's revolts were this time on the side of government troops, having in the meantime been granted amnesty and having rejoined the forces in which they had served in the past. Amnesty was granted in all the revolts and in most cases it functioned as a way of relieving the conflict and reducing tensions among the armed men.