In the 15th and 16th century, Italy was producing more great art, scientific innovations, and cultural works than almost any other European country. By the 19th century and start of the 20th century, Italy was considered a backwater by Western nations. What happened to cause this decline in stature?

by whomdoom

Title kinda says it all, really weird to me thinking that a nation that truly created modern European culture and the Renaissance would somehow in just under 300 years be almost completely discredited from its former glory. Perhaps I'm missing some vital context or maybe it has to do with the vast historical gap I have with the Medicis and development of ideology but idk hoping a historian can help me out