Final answer:
Spain reconsidered East Texas settlements' importance after the French and Indian War due to internal crises and changing external relations, including those with the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spain questioned the need for East Texas settlements post-French and Indian War due to the changed geopolitical landscape. After the war, Spain's focus shifted due to internal crises, such as the Napoleonic occupation and the consequent rise of local governance juntas in its American empire seeking more autonomy.
Moreover, border disputes with the newly formed United States and closing the Mississippi River to American traffic indicated a reevaluation of priorities, including the sustainability and strategic value of distant settlements.