During the 1957 Moscow celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution, it was agreed to overtake the West until 1961 in a great leap. Every state asked to participate, however, lacked the requirements for such a bold venture.

In 1958/59 only the GDR seemed to progress successfully. But after agriculture was collectivized with threatening persuasiveness in 1960, the crisis in the food industry was inevitable. Since the production of industrial goods couldn't keep up with the rising spending power, many young and recently educated people left the country for the West. The GDR was facing a collapse which could only be prevented for the time being by erecting the wall and passing murderous border laws.