A microstudy of Henan in the years 1956-1958 suggests two related categories of general comments, although in fact they remain no more than hypotheses. The first category has to do with the Chinese political regime,"seen from Henan"; the second is of a historical nature. The weakness of provincial power was even more glaring in the political sphere. Provincial officials might no longer be in a position to delay or attenuate the movement, but they could implement it "impetuously", array it with new achievements become a "model". A mobilisation campaign involved essentially the strengthening of the powers of the centre, and more generally, of all higher levels over lower one. Intermediate levels might receive extra personnel, since their powers were enhanced by mobilisation campaigns. The policy of economic and social relaxation gradually formulated starting m summer 1956 and completed in spring 1957 by a boldly conceived attempt at political liberalisation constituted an initial response to this economic and social crisis.