The common thread in world history that connects periods and countries is the quest for power. The types of power range from religious, economic to political. Secret societies have played a role in the quest for and conquest of power over time. To varying degrees, three secret societies, the Templars, the Skull and Bones, and the Society of the Black Dragon, influenced historical events during their time periods and continents because their members rose to positions of power in their countries or continents. In Europe, Muslims had taken possession of Christendom's most sacred lands in the 7th century. This was the Holy Land, where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. The First Crusade began as a pilgrimage but quickly evolved into a military conquest by the Roman Catholic Church to regain control of sacred Christian sites in the Holy Land. After more than four centuries of Muslim control, on July 15, 1099, a multinational army of more than 13,000 soldiers succeeded in reconquering the Holy Land. However, the Christian warriors disgraced themselves because of the numerous innocent massacres of the inhabitants of the Holy Land. The Christian army which occupied this area soon found itself constantly attacked by the local population. Distressed by all the attacks, a group of nine knights banded together and proposed to the leader of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Baldwin II, that they form a band of soldiers who would devote themselves to protecting the kingdom and all European visitors. These were the Templars who would begin protecting and serving in 1118. These men took their name from the place where they held meetings, S...... middle of paper ...... Especially written about secret societies can often conflict or disagree. One thing that seems clear is that global elite leaders, at different points in history, have used members of secret societies to advance their quests for political, religious, and economic power. From the presidents of the United States to the popes of Rome to the emperors of Japan, all have employed members of the company to advance their agendas. It is also evident that members of the Templars, Skull and Bones, and the Black Dragon influenced the course of history. to varying degrees. Whether it's the protection of the Holy Land in the Middle Ages, the rise of the most powerful nation the world has ever known, or the expansion of the Japanese Empire that led to the Second War Worldwide, secret societies have played a key role in advancing the power of the county or organization that its leaders control.