The name 'pragmatism' and some body of scholarly work may have originated in the US, but practical thought itself was hardly invented there. Cavemen 10,000 years ago discovered to 'use what works' because if they didn't do exactly that, they'd likely end up dead.
Developing a formalized way of say "do what works and don't fix what ain't broke" doesn't give you 'ownership' of that philosophy. At best it gives words to concepts everyone already held as a jumble of memes, at worst its a form of self-congratulatory mental masturbation.
The rise of pragmatism had primarily resulted due to the influence of scientific methods and realists looking to define their reality by directly observable phenomena. This was opposed to reaching into the back of their skulls for some metaphysical mumbojumbo the idealists were spewing, or calling down god for an ecclesiastical answer to the basic questions, like "what is truth"? One of James' main influences was Charles Darwin, for example.
I would say that if there is credit to be given, it was in starting to hammer the nails into the coffins of those who'd rather dream about reality than live in it. The world was primed for rational thought, the pragmatic 'movement' (if you will) provided a handy form for it to manifest itself... pragmatism became a popular philosophy because it "just worked". Which is rather apropos when you think about it.
... and I'd say "B". Not because I studied philosophy or feel beholden to tweed-wearing, beret doffing academics, but because I've always depended on my own abilities to do what's needed to be done regardless of the situation.