I frequently come across these three terms, but I haven't been able to find a source that explains the difference between all three of them precisely.
Here's what I think I know now:
The early modern period is roughly around the 1500s - 1800s. It begins with European exploration and ends around the period of the French Revolution.
The late modern period follows the early modern period and ends around World War 2.
Now, here's where I'm lost:
1) Is the modern period defined by both the early modern period and late modern period?
2) How does "post modern" period fit into to the picture? It should logically follow the late modern period, but some sources refer to this period as the "modern era" as well. Which doesn't make sense to me because it's not the "modern era", it's "post modern".