The main topic of debate between the two parties was that of Hamilton's financial program. The Federalists wanted to use the federal government to stabilize the national economy. The Democratic-Republicans, however, disliked the expanded role of the new national government. They worried that the federal government would assume powers it did not rightfully possess.
This points towards the second difference between the two parties: their thoughts on the role of the government. Democratic-Republicans championed limited government. They were worried that an elite class, far away in the capital, would make decisions for the citizens. They saw it as a betrayal of the American Revolution. The Federalists were mostly wealthy merchants and planters, and were considered a commercial class that was not in favour of the common people.
Finally, both parties agreed on the question of citizenship. Only free, white males who owned property and paid taxes could vote as citizens of the country.
