What was the major difference between the federalist party and the democratic-republican party? federalists believed in freedom of speech, and democratic-republicans believed no one should criticize the government. federalists believed in a strong central government, and democratic-republicans believed in strong state governments. federalists opposed some parts of the constitution, and democratic-republicans were in favor of the constitution. federalists felt the majority of voters should make decisions, and democratic-republicans felt the minority elite should make decisions.