RUDN Journal of Russian HistoryRUDN Journal of Russian History2312-86742312-8690Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University)3811Research ArticleEarly Rehabilitation of Great Terror in 1939–1941: Intentions and ResultsBordyugovG AResearch Centreborddav@hotmail.comAssociation of Researchers of Russian Society (AIRO – XXI)150420134223007092016Copyright © 2013, Bordyugov G.A.2013The article analyzes the early attempts of the Stalin regime to investigate the cases of «breaking the socialist law» in 1937–1938. On the basis of the documents of central and local archives, the author examines the methods of this process, its scope, participants as well as the reasons for its abandoning.terrorrepressionsrehabilitationlawextrajudicial bodiesтерроррепрессииреабилитациязаконностьвнесудебные органы