Final answer:
Bismarck unified Germany by engaging Austria in a conflict and successfully consolidating the German states under Prussian rule. He later acquired German-speaking territories from France, leading to the formation of a unified German Empire in 1871.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to unify Germany from 1865-1871, Bismarck employed a series of military actions and political strategies. Firstly, he engaged Austria in a conflict over control of a region in northwestern Germany, leading to a war between Prussia and Austria in 1866. Prussia emerged victorious and solidified the German states under Prussian King Wilhelm I. Bismarck then used the weakened Austria to claim German-speaking territories from France in 1871, ultimately culminating in the formation of a unified German Empire.