resign in late 1873. The Governor-General, Lord Dufferin, appointed Alexander Mackenzie, the leader of the Liberals, as Prime Minister. Mackenzie called an election in early 1874. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Party structure had not yet emerged. Edward Blake of Ontario was the unofficial leader of the Liberal groupings. 3 Election returns in 1872 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation. Federal election, 1874 Prime Minister Mackenzie formed his government in late 1873, after the fall of the Macdonald government in late 1873. Mackenzie called the general election in early 1874. He won a majority and was confirmed in office. Macdonald retained the support of the Conservatives and became the Leader of the Opposition. The 1874 election was the only general election Macdonald lost. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Election returns in 1874 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation. Federal election, 1878 In the 1878 election, Macdonald and the Conservatives were returned to government, defeating Alexander Mackenzie and the Liberals. 1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Election returns in 1878 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation. Federal election, 1882 Macdonald and the Conservatives were maintained in power by the 1882 election. Macdonald won his fourth majority government, defeating the Liberals, now led by Edward Blake. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Election returns in 1882 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation. Federal election, 1887 Macdonald and the Conservatives were maintained in power by the 1887 election. Macdonald won his fifth majority government, defeating the Liberals, again led by Edward Blake. One notable feature of the election was the drop in Quebec seats held by the Conservatives, following the execution of Louis Riel two years earlier.