Final answer:
Belgium, France, and Germany were the first three countries to industrialize in Continental Europe following Britain's lead. They capitalized on their coal deposits and developed industries like textiles and steel, significantly transforming their societies and economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first three countries to be industrialized in Continental Europe after Great Britain were Belgium, France, and Germany. Belgium, with its useful waterways, coal deposits, and a skilled workforce, spearheaded the industrial movement closely followed by Great Britain. Despite initial resistance from traditional elites, France gradually embraced industrialization, expanding its railroads and transitioning to a factory system. Germany, after unification in 1871, experienced rapid industrialization, focused on heavy industries and became a leading producer of steel, even surpassing Great Britain's output in the 1890s.
These early industrial European nations took advantage of the proximity of their coal deposits, which were instrumental in the development of industries and mass production of goods such as textiles, iron, and steel. The transition to industrial economies brought significant changes to their societies, with advancements in transportation and communication technologies, including the locomotive, steamboat, and telegraph, transforming the way citizens lived and worked.