Final answer:
The Democratic Republicans advocated for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, limited central government, and a focus on agriculture and rural interests, opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key principles and beliefs that characterized the Democratic Republicans during the late 18th and early 19th centuries included a preference for a limited central government, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and a focus on the interests of rural areas and agriculture over urban industrialization. The Democratic Republicans feared that a strong federal government would trample the rights of individuals and states, echoing their earlier experiences with British colonial governance. They were particularly opposed to measures they saw as expanding federal power at the expense of personal liberties, such as the Alien and Sedition Acts, which they vehemently opposed.