Why did the industrial revolution first occur in Britain? Why did the British invent the steam engine? Why did China invent the waterwheel instead of the steam engine?

One by one! First, there are many reasons why it happened in Britain, so I will say three important points: 1. Crazy colonial plunder and slave trade brought huge monetary capital to Britain, thus accumulating financial preparations for the industrial revolution. 2. The high development of workshop handicraft industry is an indispensable technical prerequisite for industrial revolution. In addition, in order to pursue more profits, Britain also paid attention to the development of production with full enthusiasm, thus stimulating the invention of machines and the use of new science and technology. 3. The British government vigorously explored overseas colonies, actively implemented the protective tariff system, and sought overseas markets for its own industry and commerce.

Second, the first steam engine was invented and manufactured by the French physicist Deneys Papan in 1688, with a cylinder and a piston. Watt is the inventor of the improved steam engine. So your question is wrong, you should ask for improvement.

Third, the "steam engine" was not invented because it was unnecessary. Because at that time, the coal used for steelmaking in Britain was mined from deep wells, and the steam engine used for drainage had appeared. Wow, it just improved the equipment. And China's various fuels, such as coal, may have been mined in shallow layers at that time, and there was no need for machines such as steam engines. If the coal mines in China are deep, China can also invent the "steam engine".

On the other hand, China is rich in human resources, and the cost of using human resources is much lower than that of building a machine. China probably invented other mine drainage equipment, but it was definitely not a "steam engine".

In other words, China has taken a different technological road from the West.