<P> In 1867, Britain united most of its North American colonies as the Dominion of Canada, giving it self - government and responsibility for its internal affairs . Britain handled foreign policy and defense . </P> <P> The second half of the 19th century saw a huge expansion of Britain's colonial empire in Asia . In the "Scramble for Africa", the boast was having the Union Jack flying from "Cairo to Cape Town ." Britain defend its empire with the world's dominant navy, and a small professional army . It was the only power in Europe to have no conscription . </P> <P> The rise of the German Empire after 1871 posed a new challenge, for it (along with the United States) threatened to take Britain's place as the world's foremost industrial power . Germany acquired a number of colonies in Africa and the Pacific, but Chancellor Otto von Bismarck succeeded in achieving general peace through his balance of power strategy . When William II became emperor in 1888, he discarded Bismarck, began using bellicose language, and planned to build a navy to rival Britain's . </P> <P> Ever since Britain had taken control of South Africa from the Netherlands in the Napoleonic Wars, it had run afoul of the Dutch settlers who further away and created two republics of their own . The British imperial vision called for control over the new countries and the Dutch - speaking "Boers" (or "Afrikaners") fought back in the War in 1899--1902 . Outgunned by a mighty empire, the Boers waged a guerilla war, which gave the British regulars a difficult fight, but weight of numbers, superior equipment, and often brutal tactics eventually brought about a British victory . The war had been costly in human rights and was widely criticised by Liberals in Britain and worldwide . However, the United States gave its support . The Boer republics were merged into Union of South Africa in 1910; it had internal self - government but its foreign policy was controlled by London and was an integral part of the British Empire . </P>

What system of government did usa and britain have in the late 19th century