Prior to WWII top loading washing machines of all sorts were common across Europe. However, post war and the building boom that followed as many nations rebuilt themselves things began to change.
H-Axis washers as in USA had long been known in Europe but largely confined to commercial/industrial laundries.
Many things had to come together before a fully automatic front loader could be made for domestic use. In USA Bendix was first out of the gate IIRC, but housewives largely weren't impressed.
In USA fully automatic top loading washers began replacing semi-automatics (wringers or whatever) in huge part because the format was familiar to American housewives. Just as with semi-automatic washing machines American homes tended to be larger with space to put a fully automatic along with other required bits (hot/cold water connection, sink/drain, electrical outlet..).
European homes tend to be smaller and more compact, thus a washer that could do 5 kilos of laundry but yet fit under a counter in kitchen or perhaps room off it (scullery, bathroom, etc...) was ideal.
Constructa was the first IIRC, but soon Miele and others were all producing front loaders. By about 1960's or 1970's virtually all production by Miele and others of various top loaders (with central beaters) had ceased. Twin tubs with impellers were another matter.
Other bits?
Move away from soap to synthetic detergent (Persil 59, Dixan, etc....) along with use of foam controllers allowed better results in tumble type washing machines. This as opposed to post WWII Tide along with other American laundry detergents who by and large created mountains of suds.
Then you have differences in energy use.
Unlike most American homes post WWII with central hot water systems homes in Europe tend to have tankless point of use (or near) hot water supplies. It thus made more sense for a washing machine to heat whatever water it used to desired temp. This also allowed said machine to be installed anywhere regardless of distance from hot water supply.
American housewives post WWII largely clung to the old ways; that is reserving one day per week for doing a huge amount of laundry. For that you need a washing machine with comparatively quick throughput. In keeping with "Sinners Circle" laws of washing H-axis washers have more gentle action, but in compensation cycle times are longer. OTOH washers with central beaters are quicker but with perhaps more wear and potential damage to clothing.
In Europe then and still now it's not uncommon for households to do many smaller wash loads per week. This even now that larger washers have hit market that hold more than previous standard of 5 kg.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?75236_2
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