Pearson announced his retirement and was succeeded as Liberal leader and Prime Minister by Pierre Trudeau. Federal general elections: 1958 to 1965 Pearson led the Liberals in four general elections. He was defeated in the general elections of 1958 and 1962, but won minority governments in the elections of 1963 and 1965. Federal election, 1958 After winning the Liberal leadership, Pearson challenged the legitimacy of Diefenbaker's minority government. In response, Diefenbaker called a snap election. He won the largest majority in Canadian history to that time and decimated the Liberals. In spite of the poor election results, Pearson stayed on as Liberal leader and Leader of the Opposition. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election. 2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members. Federal election, 1962 Pearson again led the Liberals in the 1962 election. Diefenbaker was returned to office, but with a minority government. The Liberals under Pearson made considerable gains, more than doubling their representation in the Commons. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election. 2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members. Federal election, 1963 Less than a year after the 1962 election, Diefenbaker's minority government fell on a motion of non-confidence, triggering the dissolution of Parliament and a general election. Pearson and the Liberals won the most seats, but fell five seats short of a majority. Pearson become prime minister of a minority government, and Diefenbaker became Leader of the Opposition. 1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election. 2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members. Federal election, 1965 After two years of minority government, Pearson called an election. The result was another hung parliament. The Liberals increased their seat total, but again fell short of an outright majority, this time by two seats. Pearson governed with a minority government for three years, retiring in 1968. Federal constituency elections, 1948 to 1965 Pearson stood for election to the House of Commons eight times, starting with