What was the first European country to declare war on slave traders and capture slave ships in order to return the slaves to Africa?

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Britain was the first European country to declare war on slave traders and capture slave ships in order to return the slaves to Africa, with the passage of the Slave Trade Act in 1807. This act made it illegal to trade slaves in British colonies and ships were sent to intercept and capture any slave ships encountered. The British Royal Navy played a major role in enforcing this law, leading to the freeing of around 150,000 slaves from illegal trading ships over the next several decades.

What Was the First European Country to Declare War on Slave