Question

Under the articles or confederation , small states like rhode island , wielded as much power as large states such as virginia, because

Answer 1

I don't feel that this is a correct statement, but if I'd have to give an answer it would be the great compromise.

Answer 2

Because all serious actions of the national government had to be approved by the states, voting as states. Rhode Island got the same number of votes (1) as Virginia.

This is in contrast to the Federal government under the Constitution, to which I think @Jaccy refers. In that government, states are represented in the House by population, so Virginia has much more power there than RI.