Poland's Provisional Government orders the convocation of the Sejm to legalize its actions, and on December 5, 1830, proclaims Chlopicki as Dictator of the Uprising.

Chlopicki considers the uprising an act of madness, but bows to strong pressure and consents to take command temporarily, in the hope that it would be unnecessary to take the field.

An able and highly decorated soldier, he had retired from the army because of the chicanery of Konstantin.

He overestimates the power of Russia and underestimates the strength and fervor of the Polish revolutionary movement.

By temperament and conviction, he is opposed to a war with Russia, in the success of which he does not believe.

He accepts the dictatorship essentially in order to maintain internal peace and to save the Constitution.