I think what they did back then was they infiltrated all high societal positions like lawyers/judges, bankers, politicians and they gained control over other people of power through bribery, favors and investments which turned into debts that they would hold over the heads of world leaders like napoleon and British royal family until they did their bidding. It’s been a while since I watched fall of the cabal part 2 that explains a lot of this, so if anyone knows better feel free to correct me.