How did Austria regain control of Lombardy and Venetia after the Revolutions of 1848?

After the initial uprisings of 1848, Austria regained control of Lombardy and Venetia through a combination of military superiority, the internal divisions of the Italian revolutionary movement, and the lack of effective support for the Piedmontese forces.12

Following the "five days" of battle in Milan, the Austrian army under Joseph Radetzky initially retreated to the Quadrilateral fortresses. However, the Austrian position strengthened as the Italian states grew divided and withdrew their support for the Piedmontese cause. Radetzky secured a decisive victory against Charles Albert at the battles around Custoza in July 1848, forcing the Piedmontese to abandon Milan and sign an armistice.123

When hostilities resumed in 1849, Radetzky’s forces decisively defeated the Piedmontese army at the Battle of Novara on March 23, 1849. This defeat led to the abdication of Charles Albert and left the remaining revolutionary centers, such as Venice and the Roman Republic, isolated. By August 1849, Venice capitulated, completing the Austrian restoration of the region.132